What if you could drive your electric car anywhere in America and the road would charge it for you? Wireless EV charging may sound like science fiction, but it’s happening in Indiana, where researchers from ASPIRE are paving the way for an electrified future.

We take a trip to the ASPIRE Center at Purdue University to see the tech behind a game-changing idea and learn how Indiana is the perfect testing ground for electrified roadways.

Range anxiety is still a huge concern for EV owners. How far can you drive your EV, and where will you charge it? But what if instead of plugging in your vehicle to charge, you could charge your vehicle while driving? Enter dynamic wireless charging, a futuristic solution to keeping EVs on the road and off the charger.

ASPIRE–Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification–is dedicated to accelerating America’s electric transition by creating a seamless charging experience for EV owners. Headquartered at Utah State University, ASPIRE is a network of research centers at universities across the US and abroad, including Purdue University in Indiana. Known as the Crossroads of America, Indiana is at the heart of the US freight and logistics industry, which makes it ideal for testing new pavement technologies.

Public-private partnerships are vital to enabling such large-scale infrastructure innovation. ASPIRE is building these connections, partnering with the Indiana DoT to design and implement a pilot program for electrified roadways, and with Cummins, an industry leader in engine manufacture also conveniently located in Indiana, to tailor wireless EV charging for use in long haul trucking, where EV transition could have a huge impact in cutting emissions and improving public health in communities along interstate highways.

ASPIRE’s cutting-edge research is putting the rubber to the road in building the infrastructure for an electric future.

Roads that Charge Electric Cars While Driving?! | American Innovators

Directed by Eric Feigenbaum

Created by Conor Gaughan and Kate Tucker

Written and hosted by Kate Tucker

Produced by Consensus Digital Media in partnership with Remedial Media

Executive Producer - Kate Tucker

Executive Producer - Jessie English

Executive Producer - Eric Feigenbaum

Executive Producer - Conor Gaughan

Featuring:

Dr. John Haddock – Professor of Civil Engineering, Purdue University

Dr. Tallis Blalack – Managing Director, ASPIRE

Dr. Nadia Gkritza – Professor of Civil Engineering / ASPIRE Campus Director, Purdue University

John Kresse - Director of Advanced Electrification Technologies, Cummins

Scott Manning - Deputy Chief of Staff, Indiana Dept. of Transportation

Dr. Steven Pekarek - Dr. Edmund O. Schweitzer, III Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Purdue University

Dr. Regan Zane - Center Director, ASPIRE

Filmed in West Lafayette, Indiana at Purdue University and at the Indiana Department of Transportation Research and Development Facility.

Additional footage and images courtesy of ASPIRE, Utah State University, Purdue University and Cummins.

Supervising Producer - Geoff Rock

Editor - Jack Mankiewicz

Assistant Editor - Angaelica LaPasta

Director of Photography - Isaac Rosenthal

Camera Operator - Eddie Bernard

Gaffer / Drone Operator - Fletcher Anstis

Sound Engineer - Tom Eichler

Production Coordinator - John Ryan Gage

Makeup/Hair – Kristen Ridge

Wardrobe - Hollie Van Osenbruggen

Audio Mixer / Sound Design - Dillon Terry

Color Grading - Ind3x

Motion Graphics - Yuriy Netrebyuk

Graphic Design - Stephen Lepsch

Music courtesy of Soundstripe, Artlist, & Storyblocks

Packing Up Blues Instrumental – Mississippi Lightnin'

Present Day Instrumental – CJ-0

Wonky Tonk Instrumental – Reveille

Innovation Instrumental – J Car

Minimal Documentary Background Music – Volodymyr Piddubnyk

Baby Genius [Minimal Documentary Marimba Cinematic] – Volodymyr Piddubnyk

Corporate Cinematic Inspirational and Calm Presentation Explainer – Media Music Group

The State of Things – Adam Saban

Rapids on the River – Dario Benedetti

Skipping – Ian Post

Pitzikati – J Car

Lucky Me Instrumental – Cast of Characters

Pulsing Strings Documentary Trailer – Media Music Group

Let The Expert Explain – Media Music Group

Living – Borrtex