Japan advances wireless charging for moving electric vehicles
Honda and Taisei Corporation have developed the core technology for a wireless road-charging system that can supply electricity to electric vehicles (EVs) while they are moving, the companies announced on the 5th. The initiative is initially focused on commercial vehicles, particularly in logistics and transportation, where longer operating hours and vehicle downtime make charging a major operational challenge.
The system, known as a magnetic-field-coupling wireless charging road system, transfers electricity without physical plugs or cables. Power transmission equipment installed beneath the road sends electricity to a receiving device mounted on the vehicle. The developers aim to make the system compatible with speeds commonly reached on Japanese expressways.
Commercial vehicles are the first target
The technology was developed by three organizations: Honda Research and Development, Honda’s research and development subsidiary; Taisei Corporation; and Taisei Rotec, Taisei’s road and pavement construction subsidiary. Honda developed the road-side transmission and vehicle-side receiving equipment designed for direct-current distribution. Taisei Corporation developed the direct-current power supply system that provides electricity to the road equipment, while Taisei Rotec worked on construction methods for installing wireless charging infrastructure in roads.
The companies are prioritizing logistics and transportation because commercial fleets could see particularly significant benefits from charging while in operation. Delivery trucks, buses and other large vehicles often travel fixed routes and spend substantial time on the road. Reducing the need to stop at charging stations could improve fleet efficiency and help operators transition to lower-emission vehicles.
Highway trial planned in Chiba
East Nippon Expressway Company, commonly known as NEXCO East, plans to begin a demonstration from fiscal 2027 onward on the mainline near Kimitsu Parking Area on the Tateyama Expressway in Kimitsu, Chiba Prefecture. The planned test section will extend for approximately 300 meters.
A team involving Honda Research and Development and Taisei Corporation is expected to participate in the demonstration. A separate team comprising Toyota Motor, Denso and Obayashi Corporation is also set to take part, creating an opportunity to evaluate multiple approaches to in-road wireless charging.
Potential impact on Japan’s EV market
EVs generally take longer to recharge than gasoline-powered vehicles take to refuel, while driving range remains a concern for many consumers and fleet operators. Japan has also faced challenges in expanding public charging infrastructure, contributing to slower EV adoption than in some European countries and China.
Charging while driving could help ease range anxiety and reduce the frequency of visits to charging stations or the need for home charging. It may also allow automakers to install smaller battery packs. Batteries are widely considered to account for roughly one-third of an EV’s production cost, so reducing battery capacity could eventually help lower vehicle prices, although the overall economics will depend on construction, maintenance and electricity costs.
Honda began researching the technology in 2021, while the joint research involving the three organizations started in 2025. The planned highway demonstration will be an important step in determining whether wireless charging can operate reliably under real traffic, weather and road conditions. It will also help assess how quickly such systems could be deployed across Japan’s extensive expressway network.
For Japan, the project represents a practical effort to address two connected challenges: reducing transport emissions and adapting charging infrastructure to the country’s geography and transport needs. If the trials prove successful, moving-vehicle charging could become a valuable complement to conventional charging stations, especially for commercial fleets that cannot afford long stops.
