Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026:
Purdue demonstrates wireless on-highway electric truck charging
An electric heavy-duty truck provided by Cummins charges as it drives along a test segment on U.S. Highway 52/U.S. Highway 231 in West Lafayette, Indiana.Purdue University/Kelsey Lefever
For the first time in the U.S., a roadway has wirelessly charged an electric heavy-duty truck driving at highway speeds, demonstrating key technology that could help lower the costs of building electrified highways for all electric vehicles to use.
The experimental highway segment tests a patent-pending system designed by Purdue University engineers. The segment, built by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), is a quarter-mile stretch on U.S. Highway 52/U.S. Highway 231 in West Lafayette. Purdue researchers demonstrated the wireless charging system in the fall using an electric truck provided by Cummins.
“Cummins is proud to play a role in this initiative by successfully adapting a prototype Class 8 battery-electric truck to integrate with Purdue’s high-power dynamic wireless power transfer system,” said John Kresse, chief technology engineer at Cummins. “The on-road testing went exceptionally well, thanks to strong collaboration between our teams. With its high power and promising cost structure, this technology represents a practical, and potentially game-changing, solution for the future of on-highway commercial transportation.”
The demonstration is part of a multistage research project that Purdue and INDOT began in 2018. In addition to its funding from INDOT through the Joint Transportation Research Program at Purdue, the project is affiliated with a fourth-generation National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center called Advancing Self-sufficiency through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE).
“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.
The Purdue system demonstrates “dynamic wireless power transfer,” with “dynamic” referring to vehicles in motion, the university said. A few other states and countries have also begun testing roads designed to enable dynamic wireless power transfer. But making this possible for highways – and particularly for semis and other heavy-duty vehicles – is a unique challenge. Because vehicles travel so much faster on highways than city roads, they need to be charged at higher power levels.
The Purdue-designed wireless charging system works at power levels much higher than what has been demonstrated in the U.S. so far. Using the test segment in West Lafayette, the system delivered 190 kilowatts to a truck traveling at 65 miles per hour. By accommodating the higher power needs for heavy-duty vehicles, the Purdue design is also able to support the lower power needs of other vehicle classes.
Purdue said that the ability for electric trucks to charge or stay charged using highways, batteries could be smaller in size, allowing the trucks to haul more cargo, which could lower equipment costs and increase revenue.
[Related: Indiana to test in-motion EV charging on highway segment]
Women in Trucking accepting Image Team nominations
Women in Trucking is looking for nominations for its Image Team Class of 2026. The nomination period is open here through Feb. 6.
The group of professional female drivers serves as the voice of women behind the wheel, sharing their experiences, advocating for the industry, and inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in trucking, WIT said.
Founded in 2015, the Image Team brings together drivers with diverse experiences across the trucking industry. Image Team members participate in media interviews, attend community and industry events, provide educational outreach, and offer ride-alongs to showcase women in the trucking industry.
“Drivers are the heartbeat of our industry, and WIT’s Image Team highlights how rewarding a career behind the wheel can be,” said Jennifer Hedrick, WIT president and CEO. “We are excited to showcase women who are passionate about their careers, confident in sharing their stories, and committed to supporting and elevating others across the trucking profession.”
Nominations must be from a current employer or supervisor who supports the driver’s participation and time commitment. Owner-operators may self-nominate. Eligible nominees must:
- Be current CDL-holders actively working in the industry with a clean safety record
- Demonstrate safety excellence and professionalism
- Be comfortable with public speaking and media engagement
- Exhibit passion for WIT’s mission
- Have a presence or willingness to engage on social media
Finalists will take part in interviews in February. The Class of 2026 Image Team will be announced at the Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event during the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 27.
