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Design

UK to Try Using "Electric Highways"

Trials will soon begin for a new technology that powers ultra-low emission vehicles while they're in motion.
Images courtesy Highways England

Later this year the UK is to begin trials for a wireless charging technology which could power electric and hybrid cars as they travel along the road. The tests for these "electric highways" will be carried out off-road and last around 18 months. Depending on the results, they could then start trialling them on the UK's roads.

"The trials are the first of their kind and will test how the technology would work safely and effectively on the country’s motorways and major A roads," said Highways England, a government agency that maintains the roads, "allowing drivers of ultra-low emission vehicles to travel long distances without needing to stop and charge the car’s battery."

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During the trials cars will be fitted with wireless equipment and tested with the tech to be installed underneath the roads, replicating road conditions. The wireless charging roadways will be in addition to plug-in charging stations which are due to be installed every 20 miles across Britain's road network. Now, all we need is the driverless cars to complete the setup.

Click here to visit Highways England's website.

Via FastCo

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