World-first charge-as-you-drive motorway ready for September tests in France
The technology is fitted beneath a 1.5km stretch of the A10 near Paris
The induction plates are being fitted under the right hand lane of a 1.5km stretch of the A10 near Paris
Vinci
In a world first, tests are to start in September on a stretch of French motorway equipped with ‘charge as you drive’ electricity chargers placed under the road surface.
Work installing induction plates under the right hand lane of a 1.5km stretch of the A10 near Paris has been completed by motorway operator Vinci.
“You look at the road now and you will not know that it has this special technology in it,” a spokeswoman told The Connexion.
“Installing the technology went well, and now the main testing sessions to check whether it is practicable for electric lorries and cars are due to start in September.”
A specially-equipped prototype coach, lorry, van and car will be used, as commercially available vehicles cannot currently use the system.
MPs heard last year that 1km of charge-as-youdrive road costs at least €4million.
If it works well, however, operators could profit from selling the electricity.
Vehicles could carry much smaller, lighter batteries, and the aim is, especially, to allow lorries to switch to electricity, considered better for the environment.
While similar technology has been trialled on secondary roads elsewhere in the world, the Vinci tests will be the first on a motorway.
The technology could potentially be installed for no-cable charging in domestic garages.
Some opponents fear electromagnetic radiation from powerful induction plates might cause health problems to humans and animals.
