Electrification of Class 8 Trucking: Economic Analysis of In-Motion Wireless Power Transfer Compared to Long-Range Batteries

In-motion wireless power transfer (WPT) has been demonstrated as a safe and viable technology for operating and recharging electric vehicles while meeting consumer demands. In this research, in-motion WPT is applied to an electrified class 8 line-haul truck and evaluated for economic and environmental impacts. The results of this in-motion WPT truck architecture are compared against a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) truck architecture and a long-range battery electric truck architecture. Results of this research show that an in-motion WPT truck has an estimated overall cost that is 35% lower than an ICE truck and 21% lower than a long-range battery truck. Additionally, in-motion WPT has the potential to reduce truck operational greenhouse gas emissions by 12% compared to ICE trucks and 7% compared to long-range battery trucks. This analysis supports the viability of in-motion WPT and identifies key areas for future assessment of vehicle architectures.