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Unique electrified road enables fossil-free road transport

2 min read

Sustainable Planet
Source: Eroadarlanda.se

This Swedish innovation is the first road of its kind to allow both commercial and passenger vehicles to be recharged while driving.

Charge while driving — powered by electricity from the road

Imagine if you could top up your batteries while actually on the move. The latest smart technology from Sweden says you can. To overcome the challenges of electric vehicles’ limited range, eRoadArlanda combines battery power with direct power feeds while the vehicle is in motion, literally keeping your batteries charged up as you drive.


Electrified road enables fossil-free road transport Adapting existing infrastructure allows both commercial and passenger vehicles to be recharged while driving. Source: Facebook/BrightVibes

Why electrified roads are heading in the right direction

There remains little doubt that the use of fossil fuels must be reduced, and quickly. Meanwhile, road transportation is expected to increase 59% by 2030.

To reduce carbon emissions, several solutions must be combined: such as biofuels, electrification and energy optimisation. By electrifying roads, existing infrastructure can be utilised to reduce both energy consumption and carbon emissions.

This Swedish innovation is the first road of its kind to allow both commercial and passenger vehicles to be recharged while driving. To overcome the challenges of electric vehicles’ limited range, eRoadArlanda combines battery power with direct power feeds while the vehicle is in motion.

What’s more, it knows exactly who to charge and how much. The system calculates a vehicle’s energy consumption, enabling electricity costs to be debited per vehicle and user.

Both sustainable and cost-effective, this solution allows existing public roads to be energised with an electric rail to power and recharge vehicles during their journey. Up to one kilometer of rail can be installed per hour and interruptions can be minimised by installing the system at night.

Why electric? Electricity is a cleaner, quieter and less expensive source of energy than diesel, with up to 90% reduction in carbon emissions by comparison.

From Norway to the Mediterranean coast non-stop!

This climate-smart and inexpensive method combines the advantages of rail transport with the flexibility of trucks, and it’s a long-distance winner. Over very long distances electricity is superior to present-day systems with internal-combustion vehicles.

If the system were to be implemented across Europe, it would be possible to drive from the North Cape in Northern Norway, all the way down to the Mediterranean coast of Malaga in Southern Spain without having to stop to refuel.

Source: ERoadArlanda

Existing public roads can be energised with an electric rail to power and recharge vehicles during their journey, with up to 1km of rail installed per hour, and interruptions minimised by installing the system at night.
The system utilises existing public infrastructure Existing public roads can be energised with an electric rail to power and recharge vehicles during their journey, with up to 1km of rail installed per hour, and interruptions minimised by installing the system at night. Source: Eroadarlanda.com
As early as 1900, Ferdinand Porsche launched a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine that powered two electric engines, which in turn propelled the front wheels. In other words, the first electric cars were created more than 100 years ago and they were the vehicles that dominated the roads in the US until about 1915.
Electric-powered vehicles are nothing new As early as 1900, Ferdinand Porsche launched a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine that powered two electric engines, which in turn propelled the front wheels. In other words, the first electric cars were created more than 100 years ago and they were the vehicles that dominated the roads in the US until about 1915. Source: Wikipedia
Make an Impact

Reducing Your Transportation Footprint

Transportation is now the largest source of carbon emissions. In many cities and towns, the personal automobile is the single greatest polluter because emissions from millions of vehicles on the road add up. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, individuals can use cleaner modes of transportation to get around, from public transit to biking and walking. Here are some ideas.