If realized, 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.

The system works by wirelessly sending electricity from power transmission coils embedded in the road to power-receiving coils installed on the underside of the vehicles.

Charging while in motion would enable vehicles to continue running with smaller batteries, which in turn would reduce vehicle weight and help mitigate road damage.

In a test conducted in September 2024 on the premises of its headquarters in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, Denso achieved a continuous driving distance of 500 kilometers over 50 hours using the system.

The auto parts maker signed an agreement with the University of Tokyo for a 10-year collaboration from April 1 to promote the practical use of the wireless charging system.

Denso President Shinnosuke Hayashi said that the technology “could break through limitations and change the face of mobility.”

With the high cost of installing power supply infrastructure cited as a challenge for the system, the company will explore where to deploy it based on traffic volumes.

Similar trials have been held overseas, with Japan lagging behind Europe and the United States. In Japan, the Wireless EV Alliance, a body for setting a standard charging system, was established in 2024, with major automakers and Denso participating.