DETROIT—Officials with Michigan state government have announced a new partnership with Israel-based Electreon, a provider of wireless EV charging, and the Los Angeles-based commercial electric vehicle manufacturer Xos, Inc. to operate wireless charging stations for commercial EVs in Michigan.
In partnership with Xos, Electreon’s wireless charging technology will be integrated into an Xos Stepvan, demonstrating wireless charging technological value and its potential to lower the total cost of ownership in the electrification of commercial truck fleets. The project also includes new installations of stationary wireless charging at a UPS location in Detroit, allowing cable-free stationary overnight charging suited to the dense operational area 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, which supports the testing and deployment of mobility projects across the state. Launched by the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and the Michigan Department of Transportation, the MMFP supports mobility technology that encourages EV adoption and charging infrastructure buildout, increasing access to affordable and reliable transportation options, and modernizing existing transportation systems.
This partnership builds on the state’s Make It in Michigan economic strategy, a comprehensive plan developed by the MEDC for investing in Michigan’s people, places and projects. The strategy focuses on cultivating good-paying jobs, a skilled, talented workforce, vibrant places to live and powerful tools to continue winning projects that support our communities, including mobility and electrification initiatives.
“We’re excited to demonstrate how Electreon’s technology can optimize electric fleet usage and showcase the seamless integration of wireless charging into daily fleet operations, minimizing downtime and enabling charging across time and location,” said Stefan Tongur, vice president of business development for Electreon. “We’re proud to do this work in Michigan, a state fostering innovation and sustainable transportation solutions.”
Added Xos co-founder and CEO Dakota Semler: “We are proud to partner with Electreon and support UPS to demonstrate the potential of wireless charging in commercial fleets. This innovative approach will revolutionize how we power our electric vehicles and drive fleet electrification forward.”
Electreon also 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 Co. 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.
“MDOT is proud to partner with Electreon and industry to test inductive charging in real-world scenarios,” said State Transportation Director, Bradley C. Wieferich. “Lowering the cost, inconvenience, and range-anxiety for EV fleet owners is an essential component in our goal to significantly increase the number of EVs on Michigan roads.”
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.
Through expanding beyond its initial public project in Detroit—which was the nation’s first wireless electric roadway–Electreon remains committed to demonstrating the value of its dynamic and stationary wireless charging technology across various use cases and enabling a smooth transition to zero-emission transportation across Michigan and beyond.
More about Electreon at electreon.com. More about Xos EVs at www.xostrucks.com. More about the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification at https://www.michiganbusiness.org/ofme/.
