Believe it or not before the proliferation of the gasoline powered car, electric vehicles (EV) were the norm. The first crude EV was introduced in 1832 by Robert Anderson, and became widely popular before the Model T in 1908. EVs saw a resurgence in the 1990’s, became a stereotype vehicle for environmentalists, and now after years of research may offer a solution to climate problems. And EV-charging roadways are the latest rage with implications that could transform the car-centric transportation.
Modern day EVs charge by connecting to a port whether at home or at a local charging station. A typical EV roughly takes 4 to 10 hours to charge depending on the battery and can travel up to 300 miles depending on the model. EV-charged roadways adopt a bluetooth approach: wires aren’t needed and electricity passes through special receivers attached on EVs to charge while driving. This time-saving technology has been implemented in Israel, Sweden, and Germany by Electreon, an electric charging infrastructure company.
In November, Electreon unveiled the U.S.’s first EV-charging roadway in Detroit. The initiative for the 1-mile stretch of road was first announced in 2021, and will help the thousands of EVs that are actively used in Michigan. The charging technology involves installing copper coils beneath the road and having receivers attach to the vehicles.
The Michigan Department of Transportation and Electreon now have a 5-year commitment that will establish more electric roadways. At the moment, the Detroit roadway is best suitable for electric buses, passenger shuttles, and delivery vehicles. Electron’s tests with the U.S. market are worth keeping tabs on. Overseas, the technology company has configured electric roadways in Europe, where EVs and hybrid cars are more prominent.
ENRX, a Norway-based company, is set to also transform U.S. roadways with electric induced charging. Set to debut on central Florida’s State Road 516 in late 2027, the charged road strip will span less than five miles on a 125-mile freeway. The $550-million project is opting for solar panels for megawatt charging. The roadway is set to cater to both small and large vehicles.
With the help of Purdue University and the Indiana Department of Transportation, a homegrown attempt at electric roadways is being made. A quarter-mile strip of roadway in West Lafayette, is trialling how well this sort of charging works for heavy duty trucks traveling at highway speeds. The project is still in its experimentation phase, but the university hopes to be able to electrify a portion of Indiana interstate in the next five years. The university is set to complete the trial strip by summer of 2025, and further advance the project for both small passenger cars and electric powered trucks to use on the freeway.
Sort of like a wireless mobile phone charger, these electric roadways take a stab at simplicity and innovation. With oil prices on the rise, these roadways can be seen as investments for the long run. Truck drivers would be able to go farther distances without having to worry about the location of a nearby gas station, and soccer moms can peacefully carpool without fear.
