Despite growing popularity, electric cars still leave drivers feeling anxious due to the lack of charging points around the UK. However, thanks to new technology this could all change, with electric cars being charged wirelessly – even on the move!
Most electric cars can travel only around 100 miles before their battery runs flat, limiting those who want to make a long journey to carefully planning their route via the country’s meagre selection of charging stations. The government wants to change this and has just invested £500 million to solve this dilemma by developing new wireless charging technology for motorways and A roads.
New off-road trials due to start in England later this year will see the use of ‘dynamic wireless power transfer’ between wireless-fitted cars, and special equipment embedded in the road.
Mike Wilson, Highways England Chief Highways Engineer, says “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."
Electric cars are rapidly becoming more popular in the UK, with 2,400 new vehicles being registered every month – more than four times the number in 2014. As well as on-road charging, the government has also committed to build charging pointsevery20 miles on the motorway network. With their biggest flaw potentially about to be eliminated, electric cars could manoeuvre into the fast lane and overtake their petrol-guzzling counterparts, finally reducing the carbon emissions released on our roads.
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