The idea of never having to pull over for fuel is pretty cool, and it’s something that Highways England is planning to be at the forefront of. Electric cars and hybrid vehicles are still a relatively new technology and charging stations can be limited, but with this method cars can be fitted with wireless technology that will allow them to be charged as they drive over roads that have had electromagnetic equipment buried underneath them.
The technology will be tested for 18 months before it reaches public roads, and although it may sound like a fantasy the technology is very much real, working in the same way a wireless phone or tooth brush charger works which you may already have in your home.
South Korea already uses the technology on a 7.5 miles stretch of road in the town of Gumi to wirelessly charge specially adapted buses. Chief highways engineer of Highways England, Mike Wilson, says that “Vehicle technologies are advancing at an ever increasing pace and we’re committed to supporting the growth of ultra-low emissions vehicles on England’s motorways and major A roads,” hopefully the trials are successful in developing a better system for the UK’s public roads.
Highways England will be testing the technology for 18 months before its decided whether or not to implement it on public roads.
Wires buried under the road will generate an electromagnetic field and the cars will absorb the energy through a coil in the car and convert it to electricity. You can learn more about the process here.
The UK government has pledged £500 million over the next five years to help keep Britain as one of the leaders in this new technology.
h/t boredpanda.com
