All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Electric cars will be charged by electric highways
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
In Britain, more and more people are buying electric cars, with sales of such cars increasing more than threefold in early 2015 alone. However, as the survey showed, many would like to buy such a car for themselves, but they are stopped by the lack of infrastructure, in particular, the ability to recharge the battery when necessary.
To solve this problem, the UK government has decided to install charging stations along the highway, it is assumed that such stations will be located every 30 km (it is worth noting that in addition to this, there are thousands of charging stations for electric vehicles in the country).
But recently a completely new solution to the problem has been proposed, which will make life as easy as possible for owners of electric vehicles - an electric highway that will charge the car battery directly while driving, using a wireless system.
If the system passes the tests, the new highways will be added to the network of plug-in chargers already in use, which should also make it easier to recharge electric vehicles.
Highways England spokesman Nick Brunetti noted that the electric road has a number of advantages over stationary charging stations, as it allows for significant time savings and increases the distance a person can travel without fear of getting stuck somewhere on the road with a discharged battery.
In addition, this approach will provide a comprehensive ecosystem for electric vehicles.
It is expected that the population will be more willing to use electric transport after the appearance of electric highways and the increase in the number of charging networks installed on standard highways.
Brunetti noted that preparing infrastructure for the transition to new modes of transport will be a major part of road management over the next three decades. According to Brunetti, innovative technologies today offer great opportunities, and it is necessary to use, for example, the same highways optimally and increase their capacity for the comfort of drivers.
The electric road will have cables that will be the source of the electromagnetic field and supply energy to the vehicle. This system will operate on renewable energy sources, most likely, the road will operate on solar radiation. Now the UK government together with specialists are working out the details of this project.
Currently, the development of a road capable of transmitting energy to a moving vehicle is in the early stages, Brunetti noted, and until laboratory studies are completed, it is impossible to say what technologies will be used and how effective they will be.
Testing is planned for the end of this year. Specialists intend to use part of the road to test the technology. It is assumed that if the technology proves its effectiveness in a year and a half, the project will be expanded.
If the electric highway proves its right to exist, the first section will be laid in the city of Gumi, located in South Korea.
[ 1 ]