Under-road wireless charging for electric vehicles to be trialed this year

Tesla’s Supercharger network, among other charging infrastructure technologies, is being developed as a means of driving the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). The UK government, on the other hand, is looking past this sit-and-charge solution, and hoping to set in place a charging structure that allows for EVs to power-up while on-the-go. 

Taking the first step to seeing this idea through to realization, Highways England announced it will officially start off-road testing of wireless charging technology meant to allow EVs and hybrids to travel longer distances on the UK roadways without needing to stop to recharge or refuel.

The department announced that trials will start before the end of the year — exact timing depends on finding the right vehicle and under-road technology that can replicate motorway conditions. Once underway, trials are expected to run about 18 months, after which the government hopes to move on to actual roadway tests. 

In terms of commitment, the UK government is seemingly all in. For one, it has dedicated about $780 million to this project over the next five years. Also, getting to the point of off-road trials follows a gargantuan feasibility study conducted by Highways England, which included looking into how the infrastructure could be installed, how existing EVs and hybrids could be retrofitted to take advantage of it, and what specific type of “dynamic wireless power transfer” could be used. 

“Vehicle technologies are advancing at an ever increasing pace and we’re committed to supporting the growth of ultra-low emissions vehicles on our England’s motorways and major A roads,” said Highways England Chief Highways Engineer Mike Wilson. “The off road trials of wireless power technology will help to create a more sustainable road network for England and open up new opportunities for businesses that transport goods across the country.”

Full details of the trials will be publicized once a contractor for this project has been appointed.

Worth noting is that in addition to this research, Highways England has also committed to installing plug-in charging points every 20 miles on the motorway network.

Via Highways England