New Delhi: In a world-first for sustainable transportation, France has activated a revolutionary stretch of road that can charge electric vehicles as they drive. This initial 1.5-kilometre segment, located near a major motorway outside Paris, is a major milestone in the effort to create dynamic, wireless charging infrastructure.
The system, which has been independently verified, is capable of delivering a high level of continuous power, with peaks comparable to the fastest stationary electric vehicle chargers available today.
The technology relies on copper coils installed beneath the road’s surface. These coils create a magnetic field that transfers power to a special receiver attached to the underside of electric vehicles. This energy is then used to charge the vehicle’s battery.
The principle is similar to wireless smartphone charging, but on a much larger scale and designed to work efficiently even in challenging weather conditions like heavy rain or snow. The system can simultaneously charge multiple cars, buses, and trucks without requiring them to stop.
A key advantage of this “charge-as-you-drive” approach is the potential to significantly extend the driving range of electric vehicles. Early reports indicate that a vehicle’s range can increase substantially after just a few minutes on the powered road. This directly addresses “range anxiety,” a primary concern for many potential EV owners.
Furthermore, if such technology becomes widespread, it could allow car manufacturers to build vehicles with smaller, lighter, and less expensive batteries, as cars would no longer need to carry a massive battery pack to ensure a long range.
Because the charging system is embedded in the road with no moving parts, it is expected to have low maintenance costs and a long lifespan.
The project is part of a much larger national strategy. The French government has a goal to equip 9,000 kilometres of roads with this wireless charging capability by 2035. If achieved, France would become the first country with a nationwide network of charging roads, fundamentally changing the future of public transport, freight delivery, and daily commuting.
