In the race to advance electric vehicle technology, a new contender has emerged: electric roads. These innovative highways promise to change the way vehicles are powered by allowing them to charge while in motion.
Electric roads use either inductive or conductive systems embedded beneath the road surface to supply energy to vehicles. With trials underway across the globe, these roads are garnering attention as a potential solution to the limitations of current electric vehicle infrastructure. However, challenges remain in terms of cost, infrastructure needs, and technological development.
How Electric Roads Function
Electric roads work by providing energy wirelessly or through conductive rails installed in the pavement. Vehicles equipped with the necessary technology can receive power as they travel, allowing for continuous charging and reducing the need for large onboard batteries.
One example of this technology in action is the project on France’s A10 motorway, operated by VINCI Autoroutes in collaboration with Electreon. The system has achieved impressive outputs, exceeding 300 kW, enabling smooth charging for various vehicle types at full speed.
Advantages of Electric Roads
Current electric vehicles, particularly freight trucks, rely on large and costly battery packs. Dynamic charging with electric roads can change this by allowing vehicles to use smaller batteries, thus reducing weight and initial costs. This also means increased cargo capacity and enhanced efficiency for fleet operators.
Electric roads powered by renewable energy sources can significantly cut transport emissions. In France, road freight is responsible for over 16% of carbon emissions, so the potential environmental benefits are substantial. The infrastructure also promises high efficiency, with conductive systems achieving 85-95% efficiency for both cars and trucks.
Challenges Faced
Constructing Electric Road Systems (ERS) is costlier than building traditional highways because it involves more than just laying down coils or rails. The process requires road resurfacing, power line upgrades, and new grid interface points. France estimates a nationwide ERS deployment could cost between €30–€40 billion.
Despite promising pilot projects in France, Italy, and the US, hurdles remain. Challenges include ensuring durability, consistent power delivery across different vehicle types, and developing scalable billing systems. Integration with existing road networks and power grids poses significant regulatory and technical obstacles, particularly in urban settings.
Global Developments
Following the success of Electreon’s project near Paris, efforts to evaluate dynamic charging on major freight routes are increasing. The French government plans to develop 9,000 km of dynamic highways by 2035, contingent on private investment and technical advancements.
Internationally, countries like Sweden, Germany, and Italy continue to experiment with electric roads. In the US, Detroit’s first wireless charging roadway and UCLA’s expanding EV transit hubs signal growing federal support, with further expansion expected by 2026.
Economic Viability and Future Prospects
While preliminary studies indicate that electric roads could be more economical than relying solely on large EV batteries, future viability will depend on factors like electricity costs, grid upgrades, and advances in battery technology.
Electric roads are likely to complement rather than replace static charging stations, forming part of a broader ecosystem that includes overnight charging and ultra-fast stations. Global standards for ERS technology and interoperability will be crucial for widespread adoption, with automakers like BMW and Toyota beginning to align with emerging standards.
Continued research and collaboration among stakeholders, including governments, automakers, utilities, and fleet operators, will be vital to addressing safety, efficiency, and cost concerns.
Original Story at interestingengineering.com