New A6 motorway project signals Europe’s next phase in wireless EV infrastructure
Germany is joining the growing list of countries testing inductive charging infrastructure, with Bavaria set to launch the country’s first electric road system (ERS) along a stretch of the A6 motorway. The one-kilometre inductive charging segment will enable electric vehicles to wirelessly recharge while in motion, using embedded coils beneath the road surface. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2025, according to Bayerischer Rundfunk.
This pilot project is part of a broader 5.7-kilometre road renewal effort near the ‘Oberpfälzer Alb Nord’ service area, and marks a significant milestone in Germany’s push for more seamless EV infrastructure. At the centre of the effort is ElectReon, a global leader in wireless charging technology, which has previously led similar initiatives in Israel, Sweden, and the United States.
How it works: Inductive charging under the asphalt
The A6 pilot uses ElectReon’s inductive charging technology, which transmits electricity from copper coils embedded beneath the road surface to receivers mounted on EVs. The process is similar in principle to wireless phone charging, allowing vehicles to recharge while driving, without the need to stop or plug in.
This system is expected to particularly benefit fleet vehicles, such as buses and delivery vans, which frequently travel fixed routes. By reducing reliance on stationary charging infrastructure and enabling smaller battery sizes, the technology could help address two of the major limitations currently facing EV adoption: range anxiety and charging downtime.
Government and research backing
The A6 project is embedded within Germany’s broader E|MPOWER research initiative, launched in 2022. The initiative includes partners from academia and industry, such as the FAPS Institute at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, the ELSYS Institute at Nuremberg Institute of Technology, Risomat GmbH & Co.KG, and VIA IMC GmbH. It is funded in part by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.
According to project documentation, the aim is to rigorously test both the performance and cost-efficiency of inductive charging under real traffic conditions. Data collected from the A6 pilot will feed into longer-term decisions about expanding this type of infrastructure on German highways.
Meanwhile, Bavaria’s state government has invested approximately €7.5 million into a complementary research facility at the Fraunhofer Institute IISB in Hallstadt. The new centre is dedicated to advancing wireless EV charging technologies and will operate through at least November 2027.
A global trend gaining traction
Germany’s entry into the wireless charging arena follows similar developments in other regions. In the United States, Detroit has already launched the first wireless charging road in the country, located in the Corktown neighbourhood. The Michigan project also features technology from ElectReon, with partnerships involving Ford and various public agencies. The road segment allows vehicles equipped with receivers to charge while moving and is part of the city’s broader effort to position itself as a leader in smart mobility infrastructure .
In France, plans for testing inductive charging highways are set for 2025, adding to the momentum in Europe. Sweden, meanwhile, has been an early pioneer, operating test roads as far back as 2018.
These projects are not yet widespread, but the growing number of real-world pilots suggests a turning point may be near. Inductive charging could become a standard feature on select highway corridors or urban bus routes, especially as battery technologies and cost dynamics improve.
Laying the groundwork for a national network
Inductive charging roads are still costly compared to traditional EV infrastructure, primarily due to the high cost of installation and the need for compatible vehicle hardware. But advocates argue that when applied strategically, such as in logistics routes or high-traffic public transport corridors, they can deliver long-term value by reducing vehicle downtime, enabling smaller batteries, and enhancing the overall convenience of electric transport.
The A6 pilot is designed to help determine just how practical and scalable the technology is under motorway conditions. It will also feed into wider national and European discussions about integrating dynamic charging into future transport networks.
A first step with broader implications
The A6 inductive charging project is more than a local innovation; it signals Germany’s intent to remain at the forefront of EV infrastructure development. While the pilot is modest in scale, its integration into broader research and public funding frameworks reflects a growing seriousness about finding long-term solutions to EV charging challenges.
As other countries move ahead with similar projects – from Detroit’s working prototype to upcoming trials in France – the pace of experimentation is accelerating. If successful, Bavaria’s A6 project could become the foundation for wider implementation across Germany’s renowned autobahn system, providing a wireless boost to Europe’s electric future.
