UK to trial "electric roads" to charge EVs as they go

A new technology that charges electric vehicles on the move is to be tested in the UK later this year, opening up the possibility of driving long distances without having to stop at charging stations. 

 

Thanks to a wireless connection between the vehicle and the road, the car's battery is replenished during travel, continually extending the vehicle's range.

 

The new system is based on Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT), which requires special charging equipment to be installed under the road and vehicles to be fitted with wireless technology.

Following a feasibility study by state-owned company Highways England, the solution is set to be tested off-road for around 18 months. Depending on results, road tests may follow – with the ultimate objective being to support the growth of low-emission vehicles on the country's motorways and A-roads.
 

The UK government has assigned a budget of £500 million (709 million euros) to fund research into the technology as part of its commitment to achieving an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050.
The initiative is expected to create jobs and boost growth in the sector, even if a number of challenges will need to be overcome.
Expense is one concern, while the solution will also require unanimous support from EV manufacturers to ensure vehicles are equipped with compatible technology.
 

Similar "electric road" technologies to have been tested include a 12km (7.5 mile) stretch of road that charges electric buses in South Korea and another initiative in England that used plates in the road to charge stationary buses.
The scope of the DWPT project is more ambitious, and it has the potential to significantly impact the future of zero-emission transport.