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 to commuters and the government for its long-term economic and environmental benefits. This includes 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 innovations such dynamic charging pods and smart infrastructure, electric roads are poised to shape the future of transportation by enhancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and increasing convenience for commuters. Despite challenges related to cost and implementation, their potential to facilitate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) makes them a promising solution for sustainable mobility.
The integration of dynamic charging pods in electric roads significantly reduces reliance on fossil fuels, thereby lowering carbon emissions. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the transportation sector accounts for approximately 29% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States (Nguyen et al., 2024). Electric roads utilize embedded charging sensors that detect the battery levels of passing electric vehicles (Petri & Mikko, 2021), enabling on-the-go charging without the need for frequent stops. These batteries are commonly composed of lithium-ion chemistries such as nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) (Umesh, 2024). While LFP is more affordable, safer, and environmentally friendly due to its lower energy density, NMC offers higher energy density but at a greater cost and environmental impact. Many companies seek a balance between cost, safety, sustainability, and efficiency in battery production. Furthermore, up to one-fifth of battery production waste is recycled into new batteries, reducing resource depletion and minimizing landfill pollution. This sustainable approach shows electric roads as a feasible solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting cleaner energy alternatives.
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 (Mackenzie, 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 make it a factor of use for individuals alike in the long run.
However, the high installation and maintenance costs of electric roads demonstrate a significant challenge. Sweden, as an example, has approximately 5 million passenger cars, 50,000 heavy trucks and 15600 km of national and European roads, faces financial and logistical hurdles in implementing this technology (Mats, 2019). With the current technologies, electric roads take about 10 million Swedish Krona per kilometer per driving lane to build, which is $1,000,735 USD. It is expected to have a 20-year lifespan. Furthermore, the Swedish economy has struggled with high public debt in the last 2 years and is only projected to recover from early 2025 (European Union, 2024). During the building of electric roads, more lanes have to be closed which can affect an individual's travel, whether in the city or rural area. At the same time with maintenance of electric roads, electric vehicles will have to travel with other vehicles, which does not solve the root cause of the problem of traffic congestion on roads. This delays commuters' travel time, making it inconvenient for them. With the high costs and economic constraints, widespread implementation of electric roads in urban areas may not be viable in the short term, despite their long-term benefits.
Despite that, Sweden had built 1.65 kilometers of electric roads from the airport to the city center of Visby by the end of 2020 (Electreon, n.d.). It has proven to be durable and convenient for travelers, halving their travelling time. This also helps in Sweden's environmental efforts in the long run. Hence, electric roads serve to provide great convenience and have long run sustainability effects.
In essence, with EVs becoming much more affordable to own, electric roads can become a complement to this (Mats, 2019). The necessity of electric roads depends 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
European Union. (2024). Economic forecast for Sweden.
European Road Transport Research Advisory Council. (2020). Electric road systems: A solution for more sustainable road freight transport. https://www.ertrac.org
Electreon. (n.d.). Smartroad Gotland.
https://electreon.com/projects/gotland
Kumar, R., & Yadav, S. (2023). Electric road systems: Recent advancements, challenges, and future trends. Energy Reports, 9, 197-208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.01.022
Mackenzie, R,. (2024). Electric Roads Ahead! Charging While Driving Could Be the Next Big Thing. https://lanoticiadigital.com.ar/news-en/electric-roads-ahead-charging-while-driving-could-be-the-next-big-thing/42604/
Mats, A,. (2019). What is the cost of electric roads?
https://www.evolutionroad.se/en/electric-roads/what-is-the-cost-of-electric-roads/
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
Schwirzke, M., Albrecht, F., & Jepsen, T. (2022). The evolution of inductive electric roads: A technological perspective. Journal of Transportation Technology, 13(4), 115-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/jtrantech.2022.03.008
Umesh, T., (2024). What are electric batteries made of? 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. https://kempower.com/the-benefits-of-dynamic-charging-of-electric-vehicles/
Thanks much for your revision.
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