From Discovery to Deployment

An ecosystem to develop, test, and deploy electrified transportation technologies at scale.

ASPIRE advances electrified transportation by moving technologies from the laboratory to real-world transportation systems. ASPIRE’s innovation ecosystem connects universities, industry partners, national laboratories, and government agencies to develop, test, and deploy electrified transportation technologies at scale.


Core Expertise


Wireless Power Transfer

Power wireless charging technologies for both stationary and dynamic applications, enabling seamless energy transfer for vehicles in motion and at rest.

Grid Integration

Developing systems that connect transportation electrification with the power grid, supporting reliability, load management, and intelligent energy distribution.

  • Dynamic wireless power transfer highways
  • Electric freight demonstration projects
  • Smart charging infrastructure pilots
  • Grid-integrated transportation systems

Infrastructure Systems

Engineering scalable charging infrastructure and roadway systems that support widespread electrification across urban and regional networks.

  • Technology commercialization
  • Infrastructure deployment
  • Workforce development
  • Transportation-grid integration

Advanced Power Electronics

Improving the efficiency, performance, and scalability of power conversion systems that underpin electrified transportation technologies.

  • Improved air quality & health
  • Intelligent grid-integrated systems
  • Scalable charging infrastructure
  • Economic development & workforce opportunities
Contracted & Announced Since 2020
Peer Review Publications
Patents Awarded
Faculty, Students & Staff
Attendees Reached Through Events
Current Industry & Innovation Members

TAPD

Developing systems that connect transportation electrification with the power grid, supporting reliability, load management, and intelligent energy distribution.

  • Transportation
  • Adoption of Technology
  • Power
  • Data Science

Research Thrusts

With a focus on high-impact applications and real-world deployment opportunities, ASPIRE has never been afraid to go big. These initiatives integrate multiple core areas to accelerate innovation from the lab to operational environments.

Electrified Freight

Designing and deploying solutions for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles, with a focus on performance across varying terrain, climates, and logistics demands. This work draws heavily on advances in wireless power transfer and power electronics to enable scalable freight electrification.

Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT)

Enabling continuous, in-motion charging through embedded roadway systems, reducing downtime and extending vehicle range for both passenger and freight applications.

Charging Hubs

Developing high-power, strategically located charging infrastructure to support fleet operations and regional electrification.

Electrified Corridors

Creating connected transportation networks that integrate charging infrastructure, grid systems, and vehicle operations across key routes.

AI-Driven Transportation–Grid Control

Applying advanced data and artificial intelligence to optimize the interaction between electrified transportation systems and the power grid.

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Infrastructure

Exploring infrastructure requirements for emerging electrified aviation systems, including charging, grid integration, and operational support.


P3 Pilots


ASPIRE’s Public-Private Partnership (P3) pilots bring together industry, government, and academia to deploy and evaluate electrified transportation technologies.

  • Test systems in operational environments freight operations
  • Validate performance across use cases
  • Reduce risk for industry adoption
  • Inform future infrastructure investments

Active pilot projects across Utah demonstrate electrified transportation in real-world freight and infrastructure applications.

  • Electric freight vehicle deployments
  • Wireless charging installations
  • Charging infrastructure for fleet operations

ASPIRE’s Indiana pilot focuses on dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) – embedding charging technology into roadways to enable in-motion energy transfer.

  • Continuous vehicle charging
  • Reduced battery size requirements
  • Scalable electrified corridor development

Florida deployments explore electrification in high-demand areas with humidity and high temperature environments, supporting infrastructure resilience and performance.

  • Charging infrastructure testing
  • Grid-integrated systems
  • Regional deployment strategies
  • Evaluation of use-fee models for electrified infrastructure, including the nation’s first electrified toll road
Man gives a thumbs-up from the cab of a white Kenworth semi truck with mountains behind
Students watch a yellow Boston Dynamics Spot robot dog demonstration in a lab
Aerial view of the EVR Electric Vehicle and Roadway building encircled by a test track and parking