Italian authorities have built a highway that allows drivers to charge electric cars while driving, the company Stellantis, responsible for the project, said in a press release.
The track was built in the commune of Chiari in the north of the country. It was placed at the Arena of the Future test site. The charging mechanism is built right into the roadbed – it is hidden under the asphalt.
The track runs on DC power, allowing it to be directly connected to renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines. It also makes it easier to use thinner aluminum cables that require less material, are easier to recycle, and cost half as much as cables made from materials like copper.
To take advantage of the highway’s capabilities, electric cars must be upgraded with a particular receiver that transmits power directly to its electric motor.
Thanks to this innovation, electric cars can be recharged without having to stop. The backbone became part of the Dinamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) system.
Energy for the movement of electric cars can be obtained from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind. To recharge an electric car, it must be equipped with a special receiver.
The company has already tested the track, using a Fiat New 500, which was able to maintain speed while driving on the highway without using up the energy stored in its batteries.