Sandra's Reader Response Final Draft

Electric roads, also known as electrified roads, are advanced infrastructure systems that transfer electricity from the road to vehicles, enabling dynamic charging while in motion (Kumar & Yadav, 2023). This innovative technology addresses significant challenges faced by electric vehicles (EVs), such as limited battery range and lengthy charging times as mentioned by the same authors. There are three main types of electric road systems (ERS): conductive, inductive, and overhead catenary. Conductive systems rely on physical contact with electrified tracks embedded in the road, exemplified by Sweden's eRoadArlanda, which uses a movable arm to connect vehicles to an electrified rail (European Road Transport Research Advisory Council, 2020). Inductive systems, such as Sweden’s SmartRoad Gotland, use electromagnetic fields to wirelessly charge vehicles via coils buried beneath the road (Schwirzke, Albrecht, & Jepsen, 2022). Overhead catenary systems, like Germany's eHighway project, use overhead wires to charge trucks via a pantograph (Kumar & Yadav, 2023).

Electric roads offer several advantages, including dynamic charging that reduces reliance on stationary chargers, improved energy efficiency, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, making them an essential tool for decarbonization (European Road Transport Research Advisory Council, 2020). They also integrate smart technologies such as traffic and weather sensors (Schwirzke et al., 2022). However, challenges such as high installation costs, maintenance requirements, and the need for standardization hinder widespread adoption. Despite these obstacles, electric roads have the potential to revolutionize transportation by enabling sustainable and efficient EV charging (Kumar & Yadav, 2023).

With features such as dynamic charging pods and smart infrastructure, electric roads are poised to be the future of transportation by enhancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and providing convenience to commuters. This facilitates the widespread use of EVs in daily travels.

The use of dynamic charging pods in electric roads reduces the need for fuel, reducing carbon emissions. On average, it was reported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that the transportation sector contributes to a significant 29 per cent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States (Nguyen et al, 2024). Electric roads contain charging sensors and detect the battery level in EVs (Petri & Mikko, 2021). These batteries are sourced from the most found lithium-ion chemistries in EVs, such as nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LIP) (Tiwari, 2024). LIP is much more affordable, safer and has a lower energy density. NMC has a higher energy density, expensive and not environmentally friendly in comparison to LIP. Many companies desire a cheaper, safer, environmentally friendly and higher energy density material for their batteries. In addition, these batteries can be recycled and up to one-fifth of the production waste is used for the next battery production according to Tiwari (2024). This has two aims - one, the supply of metals used in batteries are scarce and two, avoiding harmful batteries materials to pollute our landfill and play the role as an alternative supply to making batteries. Hence, the use of batteries in electric roads reduces greenhouse gas emissions, providing a more environmentally friendly solution to fuel for the future.

Electric roads reduce the reliance on traditional charging infrastructure such as stationary charging stations. This ensures smooth travel over long distances, eliminating range anxiety and making electric vehicles more practical for widespread use across urban and rural places (Roberts, 2024). The wireless charging from electric roads to EVs while driving also removes the burden of carrying large and heavy batteries. Hence, the convenience of electric roads makes it a factor of use for individuals alike in the long run.

However, the installation costs and maintenance requirements of electric roads are high, which can disrupt daily life. Taking Sweden as an example, it has approximately 5 million passenger cars, 50,000 heavy trucks and 15600 km of national and European roads (Alakula, 2019). Current electric road technologies cost 10 million Swedish Krona per kilometer per driving lane to build and have an estimated 20-year lifespan according to Alakula (2019). This incurred cost is due to the overhead catenary systems in electric roads where overhead wires is used to charge tracks (Kumar & Yadav, 2023). Additionally, Sweden faced financial issues in the past two years, including high public debt though it is expected to recover from early 2025 (European Union, 2024). The construction process requires lane closures, temporarily posing inconvenience to commuters traveling between city and countryside areas. Moreover, EVs must still share roads with conventional vehicles which does not tackle the issue of traffic congestion despite reaping the benefits from electric roads. Given the high costs and managerial problems, rapid expansion of electric roads citywide may not be attainable in the short run.

Despite these challenges, Sweden successfully built a 1.65-kilometer electric road from the airport to the city center of Visby at the end of 2020 (Electreon, n.d.). This project significantly reduces travel time for commuters, further showcasing the convenience and durability electric roads bring. Furthermore, electric roads line up with Sweden’s long-term environmental goals by promoting sustainable transportation. While large-scale implementation presents financial and managerial challenges, targeted electric road projects can still provide meaningful benefits and support long-term sustainability efforts.

In essence, with EVs becoming much more affordable to own, electric roads become a complement to it (Alakula, 2019). The necessity of electric roads could depend on a country's finances and the number of vehicles on roads. The building of electric roads is a long-term plan that has benefits to the environment and individuals. 

References

Alakula, M,. (2019). What is the cost of electric roads? Retrieved from https://www.evolutionroad.se/en/electric-roads/what-is-the-cost-of-electric-roads/

European Union. (2024). Economic forecast for Sweden. Retrieved from https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/economic-surveillance-eu-economies/sweden/economic-forecast-sweden_en

 

European Road Transport Research Advisory Council. (2020). Electric road systems: A solution for more sustainable road freight transport. Retrieved from https://www.ertrac.org

Electreon. (n.d.). Smartroad Gotland. Retrieved from https://electreon.com/projects/gotland

Kumar, R., & Yadav, S. (2023). Electric road systems: Recent advancements, challenges, and future trends. Energy Reports, 9, 197-208. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.01.022

 

Nguyen, D.M.,  Kishk, M.A, & Alouini, MS. (2024). Dynamic charging as a complementary approach in modern EV charging infrastructure. Sci Rep 14, 5785. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55863-3

Roberts, M,. (2024). Electric Roads Ahead! Charging While Driving Could Be the Next Big Thing. Retrieved from https://lanoticiadigital.com.ar/news-en/electric-roads-ahead-charging-while-driving-could-be-the-next-big-thing/42604/

Schwirzke, M., Albrecht, F., & Jepsen, T. (2022). The evolution of inductive electric roads: A technological perspective. Journal of Transportation Technology, 13(4), 115-127. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/jtrantech.2022.03.008 

 

Tiwari, U., (2024). What are electric batteries made of? Retrieved from https://www.malvernpanalytical.com/en/learn/knowledge-center/insights/what-are-electric-car-batteries-made-of

 

Petri, K,. & Mikko, V,. (2021). The Benefits of Dynamic Charging of Electric Vehicles. Retrieved from https://kempower.com/the-benefits-of-dynamic-charging-of-electric-vehicles/