A Game-Changer for Electric Vehicles
Norway has taken a bold leap into the future of electric mobility by rolling out the world’s first wireless charging road—a slice of roadway embedded with high-tech charging coils that allows electric vehicles (EVs) to recharge while driving. This breakthrough could dramatically reshape how we think about EVs, especially for high-usage fleets like buses, taxis and delivery vehicles.
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How It Works
In this innovative pilot, a 100-metre stretch of public road in Trondheim has been outfitted with copper coils placed just beneath the pavement. These coils transmit power wirelessly to compatible EVs above, via electromagnetic induction. The system, developed by Electreon Wireless, supports charging both when vehicles are in motion and while stopped.
The deployment is part of a larger plan by the Transportation Authority of Trøndelag County (AtB) to integrate the system into bus, truck and taxi fleets.
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Why This Matters
No cables, no stops – With the charging coils buried in the road, vehicles don’t have to pull off to charge or connect a cable. This is a huge advantage for vehicles that must stay on the move, like buses and delivery trucks.
Smaller batteries, lighter vehicles – Because the road supplies power en-route, vehicles don’t require as large a battery pack. This helps reduce weight, cost and material use.
Extreme climate testing – Norway’s harsh winters provide a tough test bed. If the system works reliably in cold temperatures, snow and hilly terrain, it can likely succeed elsewhere.
Leadership in EV infrastructure – Norway already leads globally in EV adoption — and this project signals that it is setting the pace in infrastructure innovation too.
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The Pilot Project in Detail
The project is scheduled to begin its deployment in Summer 2024.
The first phase involves a public-road section next to AtB’s main bus depot in Trondheim.
Fleets involved include three electric buses by Chinese manufacturer Yutong and one by Higer.
Estimated project cost: around NOK 22.4 million (approximately USD 2.12 million) and supported by government funding.
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Potential Impact and Benefits
For busy commercial fleets—taxis, buses, delivery vehicles—this technology could remove one of the biggest bottlenecks: charging downtime. Instead of planning long layovers to recharge, vehicles could simply remain in service, drawing power while on the move.
For cities, this means fewer infrastructure constraints (fewer large charging stations needed), lighter vehicles (smaller batteries), and better use of road space. Reduced battery size not only cuts cost, but also lowers the environmental footprint of battery production and recycling.
And for drivers and fleets alike, the flexibility and convenience of charging while driving or parked (without plugging in) could make EV adoption much smoother and more cost-effective.
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Challenges and Considerations
Of course, while the technology is promising, there are key challenges to address:
Scalability & cost: Installing coils beneath roads at scale will require significant investment.
Efficiency: Wireless energy transfer has historically had higher losses compared to wired systems—optimising efficiency will be key.
Vehicle compatibility: Vehicles must be fitted with compatible receiver systems; widespread adoption may take time.
Maintenance & durability: Roads undergo wear, weather stress and maintenance. The embedded system must be robust.
Standardisation: For broad use, standards across vehicles and roads will help ensure interoperability.
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What’s Next
The Trondheim pilot will run over the coming year (and beyond) to assess how the system performs in both drive mode (while moving) and stop mode. The insights gained will help determine whether this becomes a common solution across fleets, broader public roads and eventually highways.
If successful, this could mark a major shift in how EV infrastructure is built — from static charging stations to dynamic, on-the-move charging embedded in the road itself.
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Final Thoughts
With this innovation, Norway isn’t just building more charging stations—it’s redefining them. The wireless charging road is more than a novelty —it’s a smart, forward-looking solution for a future where vehicles spend less time idle and more time moving, powered seamlessly. For a country already at the forefront of EV adoption, this step could usher in the next era of electric transport.
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Sources:
“Israeli company sets up 1st wireless EV charging road in Norway” (Xinhua).
Electreon press release: “Electreon Wins the First Electric Road Tender in Norway”.
Project overview: Trondheim Electric Road Project PDF.