Drive and Charge Technology Could be on Roads by 2016

The Highways Agency wants to introduce features on the strategic road network that would charge batteries in an electric car while running.

The Agency is looking for consultants to carry out a feasibility study on the technology that could revolutionise the future of highways.

Project director Ian Thompson spoke at an ITS conference this week showing the project would not be stopping for anything. The 15 month study will lead to test track trails by 2015 and then an on road pilot in 2016; they are currently looking for a suitable road for the pilot.

“No European motorway yet offers dynamic charging. All current on-road deployments are in-city, as in Genoa,” he said.

The innovation comes in hand with the new government owned company that will be the Highways Agency; the new format will focus more on road users as customers.

And the market for electric vehicles (EVs) shows no signs of slowing down as estimates show there will be one million EVs on the road by 2020.

Freight lorry fleet owners and coach operators have already expressed interest in the vehicles if dynamic road charging was available.

30% of road space will be taken up to accommodate for sub surface charging units at appropriate intervals; this will cost £250,000 per km. Installations will have a seven to ten year span and billing will be carried out through automatic vehicle identification with smartphones or smartcard payment types.