Are Wireless Highways The Answer To EV Range Anxiety?
Range anxiety will always be a problem for electric cars as long as certain hurdles aren’t overcome. One of them pertains to the charging infrastructure. EV sales are plateauing all over the world because consumers are starting to realize that charging an electric vehicle takes significantly longer than filling up an ICE one with a petrol station.
In addition to this, there are a limited number of charging stations scattered around the country, which are usually occupied by other EVs desperately needing a top up. It’s a problem that has forced many potential buyers to rethink the idea of ditching their ICE vehicles for one that may not meet their needs.
The charging problem is affecting EVs globally, which is why certain countries are floating the idea of an electrified motorway. The idea draws inspiration from electric trains, which tap onto overhead power lines. In fact, there are already hybrid trucks in Germany as part of a test project that contact the power cables along the length of the highway.
For regular cars, overhead power lines might not be the best way to go, which is why certain countries plan to install electromagnetic coils under the surface of the roads that would charge compatible vehicles that drive along said road.
It works similarly to how we charge our smartphones wirelessly. Using the principle of induction charging, the road transfers charge back to vehicles that have receiver coils attached to the underside of their bodies.
In the US, the BBC has reported that such a system has been built along 14th street in Detroit, Michigan costing about USD2million per mile (1.6km). It has been built along a 400m section of the road through the Corktown area. It’s the first of its kind in the USA and it’s supposed to help with charging EVs, along said path.
Sweden plans on completing an electrified highway along European route E20 that connects two different logistic hubs as reported by Euro News. It’s supposed to be built by 2025, but they haven’t decided whether to use a ground-based conductive or inductive charging system.
Such systems could help accelerate EV adoption as it allows them to keep driving to their destination while being charged, something that we’ve never experienced before. This would also allow older EVs with less-than-ideal battery health to remain on the road as they will be less reliant on their batteries the more time they spend on such highways.
Companies like Plugless Power are already at work installing stationery and wireless charging systems that allow EVs to be charged while parked. As such, wireless charging isn’t new, it’s already here and electrified highways will complete the EV revolution.
