Highways Agency Looks at Electric Motorway Charging
Matt Lambert Posted On November 17, 2014 
The Highways Agency has launched a forward thinking study into dynamic (en-route) charging of electric vehicles (EVs).
As we face the advent of electric vehicles an independent consortium has been appointed to discover the feasibility of road surface charging.
Driving at normal motorway speeds specially fitted cars would automatically feed from power sources emitting electrical energy underneath the lane.
A spokesperson told Transport Network: The Government is promoting the advantages of ultra-low emission vehicles. The consortium is well placed to understand the feasibility of available and emerging technology to support the growth of electric and hybrid vehicles on our network.
Transport consultants TRL and international engineering consultants Halcrow will be the driving force in upcoming investigations. Together they will work with automotive and battery manufactures as well as specialists in energy infrastructure and wireless power transfer.
If the study proves successful for completion in mid-2015 we could be seeing trials underway for private test tracks as early as 2016; on road trials for a live motorway would follow.
However the technology must meet certain criteria such as a 16 year life cycle (comparable to asphalt) cost-effective maintenance and resistance to weather/vibration.
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Written by Phil Adams
See my LinkedIn profile Let’s talk – phil@highwaysindustry.com
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