Rethinking electric vehicles with on-the-go charging
The deployment of electric vehicles is central to achieving zero-emissions transport. Nonetheless, the cost, weight and limited range of batteries – along with the need for recharging infrastructure – have somewhat constrained widespread adoption. This has led to a rethink of how transport could be electrified. Dan Zethraeus for example, the founder of Swedish start-up Elonroad(opens in new window), was inspired over a decade ago by his kids playing with toy racing cars, powered by a low-voltage current running along on a slotted track. This gave him the idea of developing technology that could power full-size electric cars as they travel along the road, enabling infinite range and reducing the need for large batteries.
Rethinking electrification of transport
“This is how we started,” says Karin Ebbinghaus, CEO and co-founder of the company and project coordinator of the EU-funded project, also called Elonroad. “Our concept was to integrate charging infrastructure directly into roadways, which would then be activated only when a vehicle is passing directly overhead.” The system works like this. A rail is installed in the road and connected to a power source. Sensors detect when a vehicle is approaching, and an encrypted signal is sent to ‘switch on’ segments of road only when a vehicle is passing. This means that cars activate charging at whatever speed they are going, and pedestrians can safely walk in front of or behind a vehicle that is charging. Prototypes have been developed, and rigorously tested for weather-resistance, durability and safety. “We are rethinking electrification of transport,” adds Ebbinghaus. “Industry’s approach to the transition to electric vehicles has been to replace petrol tanks with batteries. Our vision is to do things more efficiently, and to bring energy to where vehicles are.”
Decarbonising port operations
The goal behind the EU-funded Elonroad project was to apply this concept to a viable use case. This would help the team to further refine the technology and demonstrate the feasibility of the concept to industry partners. Ports were selected as the ideal location. “These are confined areas where you have a lot of vehicles carrying out repetitive transportation patterns,” explains Ebbinghaus. “Around 30 % of CO emissions from maritime operations come from land – handling goods from ships for example – so reducing transport emissions here can have a significant impact.” The project team worked with the Port of Oslo(opens in new window) as well as the Port of Long Beach(opens in new window) in California. Vehicle charging infrastructure was installed, and means of optimising energy efficiency assessed.
Port authority and automotive manufacturer support
These test cases demonstrated that continuous in-road charging infrastructure can help to decarbonise port operations, while achieving cost efficiencies. For example, parking space would normally have to be set aside to charge electric vehicles, which would be out of commission while charging. Instead, continuous charging means vehicles can be deployed whenever they are needed, and valuable port space can be freed up for other operations. “We have shown that this concept presents a good business case, and also a good climate case,” remarks Ebbinghaus. “The electrification of vehicles also reduces noise and improves air quality.” Relationships with port authorities and automotive manufacturers have been strengthened, which Ebbinghaus believes is critical to the long-term goal of establishing the technology as the industry standard. “We have to start with early adopters before moving into the mass market,” she adds. “We have shown that the concept works in ports, and we can now think about expanding out to society as a whole.”
