Germany has launched its first one-kilometre motorway test track for dynamic inductive charging to assess the technology’s potential for electric lorries and long-haul freight operations.
The system works by embedding charging coils beneath the asphalt, which wirelessly transfer energy to a receiver coil fitted in the vehicle as it moves. This setup could eventually eliminate the need for roadside charging stops and reduce battery size requirements for long-distance electric trucks.
“We are using this trial to test both the energy transfer efficiency and how easily the components can be industrially manufactured and installed in roads,” said Dr Alexander Kühl from FAU’s Chair of Manufacturing Automation and Production Systems (FAPS).
The charging power can reach up to 70kW, based on earlier tests with similar setups. Initial driving trials using specially equipped vehicles are expected to begin in the second half of the year. While the specific truck models have not yet been disclosed, the infrastructure is designed for both passenger and commercial vehicles, with the long-term goal of supporting heavy-duty HGVs.
According to the project team, the system achieves an energy transfer efficiency of over 90%. Researchers will also assess how the coils can be produced at scale and integrated into roads using automated processes, to make the technology viable for wider motorway deployment.
The pilot, known as Project E|MPOWER, is located in northern Bavaria, on the A6 motorway between Sulzbach-Rosenberg and Amberg-West, in the direction of Nuremberg.
The road-side technology is supplied by Electreon, which has implemented similar electric road systems in Sweden and Israel. Unlike overhead catenary lines or static plug-in chargers, this system is fully integrated into the road surface and remains invisible to drivers. The coils only activate when a compatible vehicle passes over them, and shielding ensures compliance with international electromagnetic safety standards.
Led by the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), the €8 million project also involves partners including Electreon, VIA IMC, Risomat, the Technische Hochschule Nürnberg, and Autobahn GmbH des Bundes.
If successful, the E|MPOWER trial could offer an alternative to hydrogen or megawatt charging for long-distance electric transport. It also forms part of a broader strategy, with a new development centre, the E|ROAD-Center, planned to support the scale-up of electric road infrastructure across Germany.
