LONDON: The UK’s largest trial of wireless power charging for electric and hybrid vehicles will start later this year. The UK government has announced plans for trials of what it calls “off-road” power technology to investigate the introduction wireless charging on the country’s motorways and major A roads. This would involve charging vehicles on the move, without the need to stop and charge the car’s battery.
The trials follow the completion of the feasibility study commissioned by Highways England into ‘dynamic wireless power transfer’ technologies.
Transport Minister Andrew Jones said:
“The potential to recharge low emission vehicles on the move offers exciting possibilities. The government is already committing £500m over the next five years to keep Britain at the forefront of this technology.”
The trials, which are expected to begin later this year following a procurement process, will involve fitting vehicles with wireless technology and testing the equipment, installed underneath the road, to replicate motorway conditions.
The government has yet to appoint a prime contractor for the project.
The trials are expected to last for approximately 18 months and, subject to the results, could be followed by on road trials.
A longer-term plan is to also install plug-in charging points every 20 miles on the motorway network as part of the government’s Road Investment Strategy.
