Technology to charge electric cars with equipment below roads to go on trial in the UK
12 Aug 2015
Technology that would allow electric cars to be charged by equipment beneath road surfaces will be on trial in England.
Most electric cars need to be recharged after around 100 miles but the new system, called 'dynamic wireless power transfer', would eliminate the lengthy stops for recharging.
The trials using specially adapted cars would begin this year and, if successful, the UK roads and highways authority, Highways England, said it would look at the feasibility of installing the technology on motorways and major "A" roads.
There were also plans to install chargers every 20 miles on the motorway network.
Highways England's chief highways engineer Mike Wilson said, "Vehicle technologies are advancing at an ever-increasing pace, and we're committed to supporting the growth of ultra-low emissions vehicles on our England's motorways and major A roads.
"The off-road trials of wireless power technology will help to create a more sustainable road network for England and open up new opportunities for businesses that transport goods across the country."
More than 35,000 electric cars had been registered in the UK since 2001.
Transport minister Andrew Jones added, "The potential to recharge low emission vehicles on the move offers exciting possibilities.
The government is already committing £500 million over the next five years to keep Britain at the forefront of this technology, which will help boost jobs and growth in the sector.
"As this study shows, we continue to explore options on how to improve journeys and make low-emission vehicles accessible to families and businesses."
The off-road trials would see electric and hybrid vehicles fitted with wireless charging capabilities that would be charged by equipment built underneath the road surface, doing away with the need for cars to stop to re-charge an electric battery on long journeys.
In addition to investigating the potential of wireless power, Highways England also said it was committed in the longer-term to installing plug-in charging points every 20 miles on the motorway network as part of the Government's Road Investment Strategy.
The UK government had committed itself to cutting CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
In 2013, transport accounted for 25 per cent of UK CO2 emissions, there was, therefore, a drive to increase the use of Low Carbon Vehicles.
According to Highways England, the trials are expected to begin later this year.
