England to test charge-as-you-drive motorways
Mon 17 August 2015
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Highways England has announced plans to test wireless power-transfer technology that it hopes to build under the country's motorways and major A roads. The government agency has already completed a feasibility study and is now asking companies to tender bids to host off-road trials.
The trials are expected to begin later this year following the completion of the procurement process and are expected to last for approximately 18 months. Subject to the results, the off-road trials could be followed by on road trials.
Charge-as-you-drive technologies have already been pioneered elsewhere. In 2013, the South Korean town of Gumi switched on a 12km (7.5 miles) route that allows buses with compatible equipment to be charged as they drive over it. Electric cables buried under the road are used to generate electromagnetic fields, which are picked up by a coil inside the device and converted into electricity.
Last year, Milton Keynes also began use of a more limited scheme, which involves buses being wirelessly recharged via plates installed into road. In this case, however, the vehicles have to stop for several minutes at a time to receive the power boost.
"The potential to recharge low emission vehicles on the move offers exciting possibilities," commented Transport Minister Andrew Jones.
Last year, the LowCVP supported TRL and Highways England (then the Highways Agency) in the initial stages of the project, facilitating engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. (See article here.)
As well as investigating the potential to install technology to wirelessly power ultra-low efficient vehicles, Highways England is also 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.
Highways England says full details of the trial will be publicised once a contractor has been appointed.
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