Michigan state officials have announced a new collaboration with Israeli wireless EV charging company Electreon and Los Angeles-based electric vehicle manufacturer Xos.
The partnership aims to introduce wireless charging stations for commercial electric vehicles within the state.
Electreon’s wireless charging technology will be integrated into an Xos Stepvan. This demonstration project will showcase the technology’s potential to reduce the overall cost of ownership for commercial electric truck fleets.
Additionally, the project will involve the installation of new stationary wireless chargers at a UPS facility in Detroit. These chargers will enable cable-free overnight charging, tailored to the high-density operational needs of the depot.
“This new partnership with Electreon and Xos builds on the success of the nation’s first public EV-charging roadway,” said Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan. “By expanding the applications and capabilities of this innovative technology to UPS’ Detroit facility, Michigan continues to be a leader in the electrification of mobility.”
The project is supported by $200,000 in funding from the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP), which supports the real-world testing and deployment of mobility projects across the state.
Additionally, Electreon received funding from the Michigan Central Scale Fund, which was launched in 2023 to help technology-based startups scale their presence in Michigan. Michigan Scale Fund recipients are evaluated on previous pilot activity, business model sustainability, and potential to drive economic development in the region—ensuring Michigan Central as a leading destination for innovation.
This milestone marks an expansion of Detroit’s electric roadway, in which Electreon deployed wireless EV charging infrastructure — enabled by multiple external project stakeholders, including OFME, MDOT, the City of Detroit, Michigan Central, Ford Motor Company, and Newlab — at the Michigan Central Innovation District in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood in November 2023. This ongoing public-private collaborative effort signifies a significant leap forward in the adoption of innovative charging solutions for sustainable fleets and their operations.
Together, Electreon, UPS, and Xos aim to show a unique approach to commercial EV charging, including both stationary and dynamic wireless charging, which eliminates operational interruptions and charging downtime. This solution can also offer extended vehicle range capabilities without the need for expensive electric grid upgrades or purchasing larger vehicle batteries, thereby mitigating major hurdles in the transition to electric fleets.
