This could be a dream come true for hybrid and EV drivers if it works out. Across the Atlantic, British researchers are planning to test road technology that would enable vehicles with full or partial electric powertrains to charge up as they cruise down the street.
While plug-in hybrid and EV drivers, such as those who own Nissan LEAFs, can power their vehicles using public charging stations, this new technology could take things to an entirely new level.
The electric charging roads will have cables running underneath them that produce electromagnetic fields which specially designed car receivers could access and turn into electricity. A communication system will be included as well, making it possible for the roads to perceive when a vehicle is coming and get the process started. The British government is going to test the technology for over 18 months, then decide if it should be implemented on public roads.
Also, if you were wondering, similar technology already exists and is being utilized in public areas. In Gumi, South Korea, there’s a 7.5-mile shuttle bus path that provides power to buses via underground cables. Additionally, in Milton Keynes, England, there are buses that recharge with the help of special plates that are installed on the roadway.
