Japanese automotive supplier Denso and the University of Tokyo are collaborating to develop a wireless charging system capable of powering electric vehicles while they are in motion, with commercialization targeted by fiscal year 2029.
Under Japan’s fiscal calendar, the period extends from April 1 to March 31 of the following year, meaning the planned launch could occur in early 2030 while remaining within the announced timeframe.
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According to Kyodo News, Denso and the University of Tokyo signed a 10-year partnership agreement last month to support the practical deployment of dynamic wireless charging technology for electric vehicles.
Denso has been developing inductive charging systems for several years. In 2023, the company entered a collaboration with Electreon, adopting technology from the Israeli firm, which is considered a market leader in wireless EV charging infrastructure.
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Both Denso and the University of Tokyo also participated in a Japanese academic and industry consortium that launched a demonstration project in Kashiwa in 2023 to test wireless charging systems embedded beneath road surfaces.
Specific technical details of the latest system have not yet been disclosed. The technology is expected to rely on power transfer between coils embedded in roads and compatible vehicles driving above them, enabling charging without stopping.
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If successfully commercialized, the technology could help address two major concerns surrounding electric vehicle adoption: charging time and driving range.
“If realised, it is expected to boost demand for EVs, as the time needed for charging and the short cruising range have been among the concerns consumers cite over purchasing the zero-emissions vehicles,” Kyodo News reported.
Shinnosuke Hayashi, president of Denso, said the technology “could break through limitations and change the face of mobility.”
