France Activates World’s First Wireless, Self-Charging EV Highway

Industry Insights from Next Move Strategy Consulting

France has brought into service the world’s first roadway capable of charging electric vehicles while they are in motion. Situated just outside Paris alongside the A10 motorway, the trial stretches 1.5 kilometres and can charge multiple buses, cars and heavy-duty trucks simultaneously as they drive. 

A technical breakthrough for on-the-move charging

Independent tests by laboratories at Gustave Eiffel University verified that the system is designed to deliver a continuous power flow exceeding 200 kW and can peak at about 300 kW comparable with some of the fastest public chargers available today. 

How the system operates

Power transfer is achieved through copper coils embedded beneath the asphalt. Those coils generate a magnetic field that couples with special receivers fitted to vehicles, allowing energy to flow without physical contact. Because the technology relies on a magnetic field rather than exposed connectors, it is reported to operate in heavy rain, ice and snow without performance loss. 

Practical benefits and implications

Early reports indicate the road can add substantial range in a matter of minutes, which could address a central obstacle to wider EV adoption vehicle range anxiety. Faster in-motion charging may reduce the need for very large, heavy batteries on long-range vehicles and cut downtime for long trips. 

Key features at a glance

• Location: 1.5-kilometre trial near Paris, alongside the A10 motorway.

• Power: continuous delivery of more than 200 kW, peaking at ~300 kW. Simultaneous charging of buses, cars and heavy trucks while moving.

• Technology: copper coils under pavement generate a magnetic field to transfer energy to vehicle receivers.

• Weather resilience: designed to operate in rain, ice and snow.

• Design durability: charging infrastructure embedded in pavement (no moving parts).

• Developer & policy alignment: developed by Electreon and aligned with France’s transport ambition to deploy some 9,000 km of wireless charging roads by 2035. 

According to Next Move Strategy Consulting

This milestone represents a practical demonstration of in-road wireless charging at scale and could shift planning for long-distance electric mobility. If the technology proves reliable and is rolled out more widely, fleet operators (especially buses and heavy trucks) may be early adopters because on-the-move charging reduces range limits and the need for oversized batteries. Embedding charging infrastructure in pavements also suggests lower mechanical maintenance risks compared with mobile or moving hardware solutions. However, the long-term impact will hinge on deployment pace, interoperability with existing vehicle platforms and the economics of installing such systems at scale. 

Source: Indian Express

Prepared by: Next Move Strategy Consulting