First successful wireless charge completed on electric semi truck at highway speeds

A team of engineers at Purdue University has successfully completed the first wireless charge on an electric semi truck traveling at highway speeds. 

The project was conducted on a quarter-mile segment of US Highway 52/US Highway 231 in West Lafayette, Indiana and success was achieved in the fall of 2025. During the successful test, 190kW of power was delivered to a Class 8 Cummins electric semi truck using a wireless power transfer system. 

According to Purdue, the transmitter coils are embedded beneath the pavement, and are able to charge an electric semi truck traveling at 65 mph. The wireless charging system is able to charge lighter electric vehicles as well as Class 8 trucks. 

“With this breakthrough system, Purdue has shown that powering large commercial vehicles wirelessly is not just technically feasible but could be a practical and scalable solution for real-world highway transportation,” said Nadia Gkritza, a Purdue professor of civil and construction engineering and agricultural and biological engineering.

“INDOT is proud to partner with Purdue on this project,” said INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist. “While there is still more to explore, we are seeing what the future could hold for heavy-duty EV charging and transportation.”