Sweden Builds First Electrified Road that Charges Vehicles as They Drive

The world’s first road that allows electric vehicles to recharge as they drive has been installed in Sweden.

Around 1.2 miles of electric rail has been built into a public road just outside Stockholm, and plans are in place to expand the project throughout other parts of the country and the world.

The electrified road works by transferring energy from the rail through a moveable arm on the bottom of an electric car or truck.

As the vehicle moves over the rail, the arm detects its location and moves into contact with it. When overtaking, the arm automatically raises.

The rail is connected to the power grid and divided into sections that are only powered when vehicles move over them.

Energy consumption of each vehicle passing over the rails is calculated by the system, enabling electricity costs to be charged to each user.

The electrified road is being trialled using electrified trucks that have been developed as part of the project.

“One of the most important issues of our time is the question of how to make fossil-free road transportation a reality,” said Hans Säll, chairman of the eRoadArlanda consortium, which is responsible for the project.

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SOURCE: Josh Gabbatiss
The Independent