In Ethiopia and many developing regions, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) faces major challenges due to limited charging infrastructure and dependence on traditional plug-in systems. Conventional charging stations are costly, time-consuming, and not easily accessible on highways or in rural areas. This limitation slows the transition toward clean transportation and increases reliance on fossil fuels.

To address this, wireless inductive road charging offers a modern, efficient, and sustainable solution. By transferring power without physical contact, vehicles can charge while stationary or in motion, paving the way for smarter, greener transportation networks that align with global sustainability goals. 

Our objective is to design and prototype a small-scale Inductive Road Charging System that demonstrates wireless power transfer (WPT) for electric vehicles. The project aims to:

• Illustrate the principles of electromagnetic induction for efficient, contactless charging.

• Test the charging efficiency and range between transmitter and receiver coils.

• Explore the integration of renewable energy sources (such as solar) to power the charging system.

• Promote sustainable mobility and innovation in Ethiopia’s growing transport sector.

By achieving these goals, the project supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Our solution focuses on developing a prototype of an inductive road charging system using electromagnetic induction. The design includes a transmitter coil embedded beneath a model road and a receiver coil attached to a vehicle model. When aligned, the system transfers power wirelessly to charge a battery or run a load, such as LEDs or a small motor.

The system operates on resonant inductive coupling to improve energy transfer efficiency and minimize power loss over short distances (2–5 cm). A MOSFET driver circuit, controlled by an Arduino microcontroller, generates a high-frequency AC signal that drives the transmitter coil.

This project demonstrates how clean energy technologies can be applied to real-world mobility challenges, promoting the development of eco-friendly transportation infrastructure and inspiring future innovation in Ethiopia’s renewable energy and engineering sectors.