A new type of highway in the United States is changing the way in which people see electric cars. In the state of Michigan, a part of the highway has been created that can charge electric vehicles while they are on the road — without stopping at a charging station.
For years, one of the main issues about electric cars has been the lack of charging stations and the fear of drivers running out of battery on the road. However, with this new highway this issue could disappear in the future. So, let’s see how this highway works.
Challenges of electric cars
Electric cars are a great alternative to gasoline or diesel cars because they emit way less CO₂ and are better for the environment. But they are not as popular as traditional cars yet. The main reasons for this are:
- The cost of buying an electric car is still higher than a regular car.
- Charging stations are not available everywhere, especially outside big cities.
- Range anxiety, or the fear of running out of battery before reaching a charger, keeps many people from switching to electric.
For people who don’t have a charger at home, finding a charging station can become a complicated task and when they do they tend to be full of cars. So, all of this makes electric cars seem less practical than gasoline ones. However, a new smart highway could change everything.
The company behind this highway
The company Electreon is responsible for this huge advance. While other known brands like Tesla focus on manufacturing electric cars, Electron is working on improving the infrastructure those cars need to work better.
Electron is expert at wireless charging for electric vehicles, so cars equipped with Electreon’s system can charge automatically when they’re on a special road. The company offers 3 types of charging:
- Dynamic charging, which happens while the vehicle is moving.
- Semi-dynamic charging, which occurs when a car is stopped temporarily, for example at a red light.
- Stationary charging, when a vehicle is parked.
Charging while driving
Electreon has already installed wireless charging coils under a section of road on 14th Street in Detroit, Michigan. This section of highway can now charge electric cars as they drive. It works with induction technology, where energy is transferred wirelessly from coils under the pavement to receivers installed in the cars. Drivers don’t have to plug in or stop to recharge — the car gets power simply by moving along the road.
New collaborations
After the success of this first charging highway, Electron has partnered with the company Xos, Inc., which manufactures commercial electric vehicles. Together, both companies are including wireless charging technology in these vehicles, which means a great change for transport companies that could:
- Lower the total cost of ownership for companies.
- Reduce the number of vehicles needed in each fleet.
- Improve efficiency with underground charging systems that save time and space.
Michigan
With this project, Michigan proves that it’s one of the most innovative states in sustainable transport. It’s investing in clean technology that can transform roads and reduce pollution. This milestone is not only about luxury passenger cars — it also helps delivery vehicles, which make up a large percentage of the traffic on American roads.
So, by making highways in charging places, Michigan is making a huge advance toward a zero-emissions future where cars can be on the road without damaging the environment and drivers can drive without worrying about running out of battery. Basically, as more states and countries look to follow this example, the highway of tomorrow may not just take us to new places — it might power the journey itself.