Israeli start-up specializing in wireless charging, Electreon, has set up a new world record. It drove a plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4 on electricity for 1.943 km over four days without stopping for a charge, thanks to its proprietary in-road charging strips.

Between 21 and 25 May, Israeli start-up Electreon conducted a world-first proof-of-concept test for its in-road wireless charging system. During that period, the smart road specialist’s team has driven a plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4 for 1.943 km without stopping for a charge. All in all, 55 drivers have taken the wheel, one after the other, for four days. At the same time, Electreon broke a world record.

Small batteries make sense

Opting for a plug-in hybrid vehicle to prove EV wireless charging might seem like a strange choice. However, Electreon says it helps to push its proof-of-concept further. Thanks to its technology, a car with a rather small battery of 18,1 kWh (75 km range) can drive nearly 2.000 km without stopping. Therefore, there should be no need for expensive and heavy EVs with large batteries.

Wireless charging expert

Electreon isn’t new to the business. The Israeli specialist has been working on the concept of smart roads since 2013. Projects came and went, but the company has since developed a proprietary system of in-road stirps that dynamically and statically charges up vehicles. The technology is already in use in a project in Germany, transferring over 1 MW/h to an electric bus. the company is also partnering with Toyota and Denso.

“Industry, political and public support for wireless EV charging technologies is greater now than at any other time since Electreon’s doors opened in 2013,” says Oren Ezer, CEO and Co-founder of Electreon. “Today, we are involved in a dozen projects across five countries together with more than 60 global partners, including leading automotive partners. Today, we are demonstrating the true potential of the wireless EV charging road. This is the tipping point for wireless charging”, he adds.