Future installation of roads that provide a charge to electric vehicles as they drive along has taken a small yet significant step forward. Transport research group TRL has been awarded a four year contract to analyse so called 'dynamic on road charging' by the European Commission.

TRL's work forms part of a project known as FABRIC which aims to evaluate the feasibility of this form of electric vehicle charging from a technological, economic and socio-environmental point of view.

Its contract is worth £5.4M and looks specifically at assessing wireless and contact charging solutions from a technological perspective.

TRL's senior ITS consultant Denis Naberezhnykh said: “Vehicle manufacturers are seriously considering the use of on road charging solutions to overcome some of the barriers associated with electromobility, primarily vehicle range and battery weight and cost.”

He added: “All elements will be considered and assessed, from necessary adaptation of the road infrastructure to integration with energy distribution systems and potential environmental benefits.”

It is said that dynamic wireless charging could allow more extensive integration of electric vehicles in the transport system and help to decarbonise road transport.

Last month a trial of eight electric buses that receive their charge wirelessly – while stationary – began in Milton Keynes (pictured). Plates set into the road transfer power directly to receiving plates underneath the bus. Dynamic charging of vehicles which do not have to stop to receive a charge is seen as the next step.

(Photo: TRL 2014)

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