Researchers have been trying to find a way to utilize roads for an environmentally-friendly purpose for a while now, and no, Solar Roadways doesn’t count because it’s not viable. What could be viable, however, are roads that charge electric vehicles that drive on them. England has announced that it plans to test such a technology later this year which, should it prove successful, would allow drivers of electric vehicles to have their car charged while they’re driving.
Electric vehicle drivers in the U.K. may never have to worry about running out of power in the future, if Highways England has anything to do about it. The government agency this week announced plans to test the technology needed to power electric and hybrid vehicles as they drive on England’s major roads. The trails, set to take place later this year, are the “first of their kind and will test how the technology would work safely and effectively on the country’s motorways,” the agency said. Highways England has already completed a feasibility study investigating the potential to install a “dynamic charging system under the surface of the road.” The idea is to allow drivers to travel long distances without needing to stop and charge their car’s battery. “The potential to recharge low emission vehicles on the move offers exciting possibilities,” U.K. Transport Minister Andrew Jones said in a statement. “The government is already committing £500 million [more than $781 million] over the next five years to keep Britain at the forefront of this technology, which will help boost jobs and growth in the sector. As this study shows, we continue to explore options on how to improve journeys and make low-emission vehicles accessible to families and businesses.”
