Honda develops wireless EV charging roads

Honda is developing a wireless charging system that could allow electric vehicles to recharge while driving, reducing reliance on conventional charging stations. Developed alongside Japanese construction firms Taisei Corporation and Taisei Rotec, the technology uses power-transmitting equipment embedded beneath the road surface to wirelessly transfer electricity to compatible vehicles.

The Japanese carmaker has partnered with Taisei Corporation and Taisei Rotec to develop a system capable of transferring electricity from infrastructure beneath the road to vehicles travelling above it.

Rather than stopping to plug into a charging station, compatible electric vehicles would receive energy wirelessly through a receiver mounted on the vehicle.

Honda says the technology could eventually be applied across a broad range of transport applications, from passenger cars to heavy commercial trucks.

The concept has the potential to change how future EVs are designed and used.

By allowing vehicles to receive additional energy during a journey, manufacturers could potentially fit smaller battery packs, reducing weight and cost while easing concerns around charging availability.

Honda's initial efforts are focused on the commercial transport sector, where vehicles often operate predictable routes and spend extended periods on the road. Such applications may provide the most practical pathway to large-scale deployment.

The project comes as electric vehicle adoption continues to accelerate globally.

In Australia alone, EVs accounted for 24.2 per cent of all new vehicle sales in September 2026, while year-to-date EV sales have reached almost one in every five new vehicles sold.

As battery-powered vehicles become increasingly common, governments and manufacturers are exploring new ways to supplement traditional charging infrastructure.

Wireless charging roads have long been viewed as one possible solution.

Trials of similar technology have previously been conducted in markets including Sweden, Norway, France and the United States, while Hyundai has also explored the concept through a patent designed to maintain wireless charging performance over uneven road surfaces using vehicle-mounted hardware that adapts to changing road conditions

Honda's approach differs in its emphasis on heavy-duty commercial applications and infrastructure durability.

The company has been testing pavement structures designed to withstand repeated use by commercial vehicles weighing approximately 20 tonnes, while allowing charging equipment to be installed beneath existing roads and more easily maintained or upgraded.

A new test road is scheduled to be constructed in Japan from late 2026, where engineers will assess durability, charging performance and electromagnetic leakage. Testing will simulate one million wheel loads using real vehicles.

Honda and its development partners also plan to test charging outputs of up to 150kW while evaluating how effectively power can be transferred to vehicles travelling at higher speeds.

One significant hurdle remains the cost of deploying charging infrastructure across existing road networks. However, proponents argue that installing the technology on freight routes, major highways and logistics corridors could provide a practical starting point before wider rollout.

The next stage of development will see the technology tested on public roads.

Honda, Taisei Corporation and Taisei Rotec are scheduled to participate in a trial on the Tateyama Expressway in Japan's Chiba Prefecture from the country's 2027 fiscal year.

While the technology remains experimental and no timeline has been announced for commercial rollout, growing EV adoption is increasing pressure on charging networks around the world.

With one in four new vehicles sold in Australia now electric, technologies that reduce charging stops and improve long-distance usability are attracting greater industry attention.

If Honda's trials prove successful, wireless charging roads could eventually become part of a broader charging ecosystem, allowing passenger cars and commercial vehicles to top up batteries while travelling and potentially reducing the need for larger battery packs.

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