The electric roads that charge your car as you drive - BBC News

[@DrEgonCholakian]

This seems like a train with extra steps.

[@joshvtech]

Can't wait to see a tesla connect with overhead rails like a tram!

[@maximusasauluk7359]

Now imagine if we make these tracks everywhere. Then imagine we elongate the cars with more space for passanegers Then imagine we make these elongated cars pass through this road periodically Then imagine that passengers buy tickets digitally to have access to these elongated cars. Then imagine that the collected revenue is used to improve the expand and improve the infrastructure. These kinds of videos remind me that we are nothing more than stupid smart monkeys.

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Google Drive Game Design

[@typictrain]

​@@maximusasauluk7359*a typic-al storyline curated by a satirical linage! 🌌 **#201Poker*

[@Hathur]

That is going to be a monumental nightmare in terms of road maintenance and cost. I don't think most people understand just how rapidly roads degrade and deform. Delicate systems that like that built into a road that is constantly deforming over time is going to make maintance / repair costs far too cost prohibitive I suspect. A single car crash on that strip will likely cause catastrophic damage to it and require very expensive repairs. While this seems like a novel idea, practically speaking I just don't see it ever becoming a viable reality beyond a few test roads. Also this is far too vague on actual power output - I am highly skeptical about the amount of meaningful power it can provide to charge a car.

[@Awesome_Aasim]

Ikr? Why not just use pantograph like trains and buses have for decades? Pantographs also have quite a long life, although they can be damaged by tree branches and knocked down during storms.

[@Luke_05]

@@Awesome_Aasim Probably because pantographs would look slightly ugly

[@OilBaron100]

A pantograph would still need an earth connection from car to road.

[@babalonkie]

Trams work just fine...

[@IntelligentAtheism]

I think Hydrogen would be better.

[@davidgalbraith694]

Meanwhile in the UK there's potholes years old that are never fixed 😂

[@JohnDoe-tx8lq]

if you line up your wheels right, we'll be able to cross potholes using the tracks as mini-bridges 😃

[@railwaymechanicalengineer4587]

Where do you think the Government got all the money from to pay for the Micky Mouse "Franchised" Rail Network. Because if you think they "Privatised" British Railways your sadly mistaken. The Civil Servants will never sell off a Tragic Resource (the Railways). So you need to understand that the word "Franchise" is a modern Semantics term for RENT. If you "Rent" something you must have a Landlord, so all "Franchises" are directly controlled by the Ministry of Transport (MOT), & "Network Rail" itself is a subsiduary of the MOT, which owns all track & stations. The Public were CONNED & the IDIOT National press went along for the ride !!!!

[@shachar2]

just plant illegal plants in them, they'll get fixed within a week

[@biplobkhan42]

Please give your number,😭😭

[@inbb510]

Just build trains.

[@ButchCassidyAndSundanceKid]

I don't see how this can work in thick snow condition, especially during winter months in Sweden.

[@julianshepherd2038]

It doesn't snow much in the eouth and I bet they clear snow better than England.

[@ButchCassidyAndSundanceKid]

@@julianshepherd2038 I suspect they're going to lay this charging tracks throughout the whole country, not just in the south.

[@tonilharmon]

I'm in Flagstaff, Az. We measure our snow in feet rather than inches. (We even have a ski resort, The Snowbowl.) I'd be interested in knowing how it would work in heavy snow, also.

[@oliverguenther6360]

Could you just imagine how much that would cost to equip all the roads with that,especially here in the USA.🤨🤔😉🤭🤣🤪

[@ButchCassidyAndSundanceKid]

@@oliverguenther6360 I don't think they'd lay this charging equipment on all the roads in the US, only certain parts, but then it will create congestion if people just want to charge their vehicles by driving on a particular stretch of road.

[@Awesomefishingvideo-bb2tf]

Anyone else remember slot car racing as a kid?

[@MrMawashii]

I can imagine having to deal with a long metal strip in the middle of the road is very safe for motorcycle riders.. Add some rain into the equation and it's even better..

[@GoatPrint]

How's that metal strip hold up to salt?

[@Sundae_Times]

Salvage some dignity, Beeb - name the presenter! 🚨

[@nicholasbolas]

IMO this is not viable for flood/earthquake prone areas. Batteries are still very important long term for EVs evolution

[@tastypymp1287]

Nah.

[@chavale2]

Batteries are time bombs: have you ever been to a Batteries Sales ares..? The smell will make you cough blood and you heads turn dizzy :( huhuhuhhh worse tha SADAM's Cell BJ

[@biplobkhan42]

Please give your number,😭😭

[@jasonevans3146]

Batteries will be the downfall of electric cars. There are no reliable batteries that last much past three years at the break-even point.

[@aliceli6707]

What happens in a thunder storm?

[@Never-mind1960]

I wonder how it will work with snow. Also, how will snow plows not damage the system.

[@agentsmith849]

or ice.

[@biplobkhan42]

Please give your number,😭😭

[@jimsimpson1006]

Sixty years ago, many UK cities had electric vehicles driven by current from overhead conductors. They were called trolley buses.

[@OneGod-s4g]

Peace be with you 💚 We Invite You To Join The Religion of Islam, as you may find peace. Islam is the latest Revelation from Allmighty God (Allah) for All the Human & Jinn kinds WorldWide. Our suggestion just Study all Religions including Islam, then you're welcome to convert to the religion of Islam in order to successfully pass this Test of Life and be saved 📗from🍀🍃 everlasting Punishment of the HellFire. We wish All the Best 🕊🍀💬🌷🌷🌷

[@ediccartman7252]

We still have them in Russia in some cities

[@gregmoore167]

Can't even fix potholes... nuff said!

[@CooBlu20]

I wonder what the premium would be on these roads?

[@ydnallah1541]

What happens in rain, ice or snow? Also, won’t the roads have to be built and relaid by diesel plant equipment

[@sbeast64]

*F-Zero music starts playing*

[@GlennRobinson777]

What happens in the rain? Doesn't that charge make contact with the rest of the wet road?

[@theeelectriciantv]

Exactly what I wanted to ask. I myself is an electrician and I wonder how that effect will be solved

[@Alexandrr6]

​@@theeelectriciantvOn top there will be a roof of solar panels that will power the road for free.

[@theeelectriciantv]

@@Alexandrr6 But you haven't answered the question

[@Alexandrr6]

@@theeelectriciantv it will be a roof made of solar panels

[@Never-mind1960]

This would be a good system for underground transportation systems. It is kind of like carnival bumper cars. Put a bunch of those underground and you could eliminate most cars in cities.

[@lemedico]

Elon Musk has nothing to do with Elon Road

[@dhawthorne1634]

Caution: DO NOT piss on the third rail. This seems difficult. You'd have to hold your lane very precisely. Induction roads would be less efficient but much easier to implement. Personally, I like system with overhead contactors for large vehicles like busses and tractors. The system has worked great for trains for the past 1035 years.

[@louise_rose]

There's already an electric tramway line along that road - it was launched a few years ago, with its own driving lane. Saw this on the TV Saturday morning - the first time I've ever seen my hometown featured on the Beeb. :)

[@Apurvanotfound]

At this point, I can say that Trams are reinvented

[@sajipunathil]

Let’s have fast charging stations everywhere. That’s the priority now

[@babalonkie]

They tried something similar in the UK about 5 years ago. A road had overhead contacts and further down they tried contactless charging. Saw the little experiment... saw it working... and then never heard about it ever again, not even the results or plans. Which probably means that it was successful and the Tory Government are scared their friends in the Petrol business would lose out. I say good luck to Sweden and i genuinely hope it's successful. I also cant wait for a country to publicly tell crude oil companies to get lost... and that day is fast approaching... Crude oil no longer provides unique essentials... Literately EVERYTHING crude oil does now can be replaced... and they know it, hence them trying to milk every penny now. I also say that the last Crude oil company to go green should be banned... just to send a little incentive and message.

[@railwaymechanicalengineer4587]

I think you are getting confused with good old fashioned "Trolley Buses". Which had two parallel wires strung above each road lane (One plus, one negative), and could certainly exceed 60mph even with 100 seated passengers on a double decker, as demonstrated across "Mitcham Common" (South London/Surrey border) in the 1950's. So what did they do ? Scrap the pollution FREE Trolley buses, and change to pollution making diesel buses, which have never had anything like 100 seats even on the Double Deckers !

[@guvy6264]

Why not have good electrified public transport(trains, trolly buses, tram, metro)

[@Sundae_Times]

*trolley

[@Sundae_Times]

And yeah, because public transport is sooo reliable 🙄

[@julianshepherd2038]

​@@Sundae_Timesit's terrible now but it wasn't always. It's run on the cheap and it's dirty so,people buy and use cars. You could probably 1/2 car usage with a return to an integrated mass transport system.

[@starvictory7079]

That already exists in Sweden. People still have cars.

[@Sundae_Times]

@@julianshepherd2038 I wish I lived in your fantasy world - it sounds nice there.

[@lemedico]

RIP animals crossing the roads

[@boris8787]

For obvious reasons there will never be an electric car in the town of Chillingbourne. ⛔💡⛔

[@VinzAmg98]

Unbelievable! I like this project! Come on in France to test this

[@marko.7961]

Is this not how trains work 💀💀💀??? Anything but a train🤣🤣

[@themetrix26]

I think they are not considered the weather conditions

[@-TheMaskedMan-]

Very smart innovation but expensive

[@JohnDoe-tx8lq]

No idea if it will work, but, as they said, EV are expensive because of the cost and weight of car batteries, plus all the expensive charging stations being built & connected and then having to wait for 30+ mins each charge... compared with all that, tracks would make more sense. (though I guess there will always need be some chargers as a back up option, as not all roads will have tracks.)

[@hungvantran7530]

MShung sends my regards to my brother, former Prime Minister Cameron. It's been a long time since I last saw you in the media. I send my regards to you and your family, my brother.

[@adus123]

I cant see it catching on. There is already wireless charging in development that can do the same thing with nothing touching the floor causing drag. And the electric pads can be under the surface of the road out the way.

[@Leonfr_2022]

But how much charge does it give!??

[@muhammadarsalan573]

How much range are we talking?

[@GIBBO4182]

Seems like something that SOUNDS great…but just not going to happen practically

[@judahriquelme6844]

I have an electric Kia soul with only 93 miles as the range so this would really save me a lot of money instead of having to buy an electric car with a higher range. Plus public ev charging isn’t always an option. On the 4th of July all the fast chargers weren’t working which was very inconvenient.

[@tastypymp1287]

93 miles....

[@oliverguenther6360]

That's why people want to keep ICE cars,duh!!!!!!!!

[@asmith9140]

nice but batteries don't last very long and theyre costly

[@96donov]

Let's hope this doesn't negatively affect battery health

[@8000RPM.]

How long 'til the car has a "Thermal Runaway"?

[@finnroy9971]

So what happens when it snows?

[@EricPham-ui6bt]

Actually the Rockland asphalt and paint on the road can concentrate magnetic field if the car help it concentrate the field strong enough it will charge the coil underneath and when the car left the road part left behind is the same as all other road

[@biplobkhan42]

Please give your number,😭😭 WhatsApp

[@shancharan7834]

Concerning on Safety and inconvenience. How about if we have battery stations like gas stations to swap the car battery automatically?.

[@williamhartz8707]

Wouldn’t heavy snow cover the electric track?

[@myselfqivy]

weather will be a big noise, but it's a good idea/option for charging

[@Awesomefishingvideo-bb2tf]

Wow really amazing 🎉

[@CarpeDiem-vd3vo]

Great constant surveillance congrats.

[@763kjm]

Holy shit, it is real world Scalextrix

[@funny7]

laying that around a corner would be a nightmare, but good idea, batteries clearly not the future

[@willardchi2571]

What happens when it rains or snows?

[@abreh622]

I can see this being successful in the US highway and interstate systems. I think as far as city traveling, it would be a bit cumbersome.

[@adonyz666]

that would require US congress to do something

[@zapfanzapfan]

I'd rather have reliable charging stations every 100 km along the highways.

[@southspin7694]

@@zapfanzapfan But they wouldn't be reliable charging stations; best to have both options. Also, home charging, working at at work facilities & charging at supermarkets, would be a good addition, Idea.

[@18yearsoldnot]

Err, 80mph causes way more friction. It’s not possible unless there’s induction coils which is yet again more inefficient

[@bbcisaids6727]

​@@zapfanzapfanid rather just stick with petrol and diesel

[@desigirlBea]

Can the spark ignite a fire?

[@ryanstevenson2258]

Does it drive in -40 degree weather

[@yogeshsingh1646]

Happy to see new inventions of 21st century

[@kennethkho7165]

everything is turning into trains🚂

[@biplobkhan42]

Please give your number,😭😭

[@alcbaz]

What happens when it rains? Every roadside puddle gunna electrocute me?

[@jesuschrist8]

Problem when it rains and the road floods

[@iixxi4902]

Most advanced and well useful technology . But it doesn't even reached in the several parts of the world and most of them doesn't even know about this. . I hope that this is one of the most advanced and useful one.

[@telaviv77]

nya.. not good idea. i thought it was rejected long ago.

[@richarddangles8896]

Theres a reason we dont build houses under powerlines. This road will microwave your ass while you drive. Cancer rates and other medical conditions will skyrocket. Brilliant idea.

[@iguanna41]

Imagine the costs, just scrap EV' s and go hydrogen, Evs are a shambles tried tested and failed! The sales of EV's have also plummited, they also need to reduce the price of replacement batteries 20K plus you could buy a new car for that.

[@Buppasiri1]

It doesn't matter. It's all over about saving climate. It's to late.

[@kawashnasim5463]

As a mechanical and aerospace engineer I find it preposterous we are switching to electric cars in the first place. Electric cars currently at least are of lower quality and longevity compared to your average combustion vehicle plus the carbon footprint due to the higher production output would only be marginally less than a combustion car. The future should be an initial push to hybrid cars while we try to innovate in the electric storage (battery) technology and electric grid. If the electric grid like in today is largely depended on gas it makes little sense to switch to electric as we are still contributing to global warming. The automotive industry as a whole is responsible for roughly 28% of emissions worldwide while electricity production is responsible for a further 25%. What we need in order to tackle global warming is a concentrated effort towards efficiency around all sectors rather than trying to set up a whole new system. Increasing the share of renewable technologies, investing in lab grown meat products, making the car industry more efficient by better hybrid technology, lowering industry (23% of total emissions) carbon footprint and improving residential energy efficiency such as phasing out pollutant gas heating would represent a 50% drop in emissions by 2030 rather than gutting the cad industry in a empty effort to show voters government is doing something about climate change.

[@anuramesh1219]

An electric road is a very brilliant idea compared to an electric charging station. Reducing no of batteries brings down the initial cost of electric vehicles.

[@richarddangles8896]

Have you built a house under powerlines? This will have the same effect on you when you drive.

[@kf5794]

This is too costly and impractical when even asphalt is underfunded for repair in many developed countries.

[@DXSUCKIT1990]

I think along main drags maybe, but cars driving around port facilities and large businesses like factories it would be perfect.

[@darrellalexander8259]

They not telling you it's going to cost to drive on it, and it will strain the electric Grid and have more blackouts

[@ajithms3032]

I think this idea is great. However, the issue comes with the safety of the public who use these roads. This contact charging can reduce the battery size in the vehicle and also reduce the time of charging.

[@quackcement]

wasted energy? its not a direct transfer of energy like a plug

[@michealvincent731]

That's such a dumb idea. Imagine the wear and tear on the connections, I see those needing regular replacement

[@empressthemis]

i think i like this cuz it can help when on freeways and highways and more

[@quartytypo]

Can't even fill the potholes, but they are going to electrify the roads.

[@muhammadev3424]

Nice concept however the initial cost will be huge and hope consumption charges for the end user will be similar to the charges required to recharge the batteries. Furthermore would like to know whether it will make any problem during raining.

[@TheRJRabbit23]

This will definitely NOT work in countries where it snows and where there is ice.

[@Ash-so6qn]

This doesn't make any sense because the price of batteries have reduced by nearly 90% for electric vehicles, furthermore battery technology is improving and the maintenance of this is just a huge cost

[@frodobagginshire2462]

A good distraction of a line on the road.

[@vysakhsunilkumar]

This invention would be adapted whole countries in world future, better vehicle being charging while driving than a station for charging.

[@mikebarnes5528]

Oh my god none of this makes sense. Can you imagine what this cost? What the maintenance cost will be & resurfacing cost. The middle & lower middle class is doomed. When these electric vehicles need to start paying road tax. They can also be extra taxed to fund the extra cost of this BS movement for the elitist groups they serve.

[@oldsoul9568]

In the early 1900s, EVs were actually more popular than gasoline-powered cars. This was because EVs were quieter, cleaner, and easier to operate than gasoline cars. In fact, by 1900, EVs accounted for about one-third of all cars on the road in the United States. However, the popularity of EVs began to decline in the early 1910s, as gasoline-powered cars became more affordable

[@AzureSky476]

EV's: You could not live with your own failure, where did that bring you? Back to me

[@rocklover7437]

They was only town cars ,ie milk float and only women liked them .

[@biplobkhan42]

Please give your number,😭😭

[@OneGod-s4g]

Peace be with you 💚 We Invite You To Join The Religion of Islam, as you may find peace. Islam is the latest Revelation from Allmighty God (Allah) for All the Human & Jinn kinds WorldWide. Our suggestion just Study all Religions including Islam, then you're welcome to convert to the religion of Islam in order to successfully pass this Test of Life and be saved 📗from🍀🍃 everlasting Punishment of the HellFire. We wish All the Best 🕊🍀💬🌷🌷🌷

[@thanhtat1497]

I think we all know how fast a battery deteriorating when we use an electrical devices while charging it at the same time.

[@gombalmukiyopujaanku]

How about reliability of that method?

[@michael2275]

Waste of money, charge at home

[@lete4865]

Who will pay for it? How will they charge you for the electricity? Who pays to repair it? What happens when leaves fall all over the road, or snow? Potholes? The questions are endless. I can’t see how this would work in the real world when it’s not being babysat on a test strip.

[@itsethan1995]

I don't think this will catch on, in 5 years time you will probaby be able to charge 400 miles in 10 minutes and in 10 years it will take 2 minutes. This could make sense for busses maybe and even then I'm not too convinced.

[@shachar2]

Interesting idea but what about rain, snow, ice, heatwaves? Why not wireless? What about wear & tear? When does it needs replacing? What happens when water leaks or something breaks? How about flooding of the road? So much technical details & reasoning not explained here.

[@edz8659]

how to reinvent trams but worse...

[@julianshepherd2038]

Trams are brilliant.

[@gregmoore167]

"Imagine scalextric"...yeah, popular when I was a kid, but never actually saw one working, it was always broken for some reason! I am glad I invested my pocket money in lego, at least I got some physical understanding from it!

[@tuckercibik6979]

It’d be good to fit the track and the cars with wireless guidance system like the stock (cherry) pickers use in warehouses. That way the car would stay on track without the drivers paying attention to it.

[@stanleybowman-hood6194]

At that point just bolt on train wheels

[@tuckercibik6979]

@@stanleybowman-hood6194 it’s actually just the flick of a switch. Not too complicated. I use the system in my warehouse

[@biplobkhan42]

Please give your number,😭😭

[@leprechaun4526]

So this is why they've been digging all the rounds up across the UK for the past 18 months.

[@DaRkLoRd-rc5yu]

I've always had this idea as long as i've heard about electric cars. But didnt know how viable it was.

[@asmith9140]

it's not viable though were not ready it takes 6 hours to refuel

[@dangerousfables]

Unfortunately it’s not viable. This is just a scam to get investment.

[@BillO964]

It isn't, Just a misguided dream.😊

[@EaglePicking]

this "idea" of yours isn't new. It's called a tram or trolley bus. Also: it isn't viable at all. Not even a little bit.

[@achernar2724]

And let’s do drones for ambulances so they don’t get stuck in traffic

[@cirusMEDIA]

I think a charging lot might make more sense to start off with.. when you park, your car connects and charges from below. If the charging road is short, then expect folks to drive slowly to maximize their charge... which can result in traffic!

[@aidan6557]

Feel like this would only work on motorways but then would cause a whole bunch of other problems

[@parvesshahin663]

Cutting edge technology ❤🇧🇩❤️

[@who_am_i51]

Definably its a futuristic transportation model but need some rectifications and caution about if its crash or accidents occur how we can solve then problem. I support technology what i want in future.

[@preacher3670]

I assume at winter time you would have a heating element on the actual charging part, but it would also force people to drive at a very identical driving lane to keep connection, forming deep and somewhat dangerous tire tracks in the ice normal buildup on the road. Then there's the question of salting the roads as we do here. I would assume a salt and slush mixture would not be kind to the charging system, at least not in the long term, making it require even more maintenance from all parties. Don't get me wrong, I like it because it's cool and futuristic, but I'd guess there might be a multitude of practical problems yet to be solved or even thought of with this technology.

[@shachar2]

Which is wireless charging makes more sense. A sealed system that's less exposed to the weather and various hazards.

[@biplobkhan42]

Please give your number,😭😭

[@tomygun1585]

They do this with rail systems where the third rail might get coated with ice and cause a disconnect. It's basically nothing more than a very long heat tape that turns on when the temperature drops. But this is also something that requires a fair amount of energy.

[@FortoFight]

At least they have a working prototype, but this reminds me a lot of the "solar roadways" scam

[@sergiomessina2037]

Those nice and shiny silver contacts, look beautiful, So what happens when it rains, snows, floods, etc. Or how about drivers that can't keep the line? New form batteries will extend range and versatility. Just be patient folks it's coming…

[@JohnCena-ew7of]

This is a brilliant idea. It could be even more beneficial when we start using it on public transport. However, there might be a downside: it could increase energy loss and be dangerous during the rainy season.

[@OneGod-s4g]

Peace be with you 💚 We Invite You To Join The Religion of Islam, as you may find peace. Islam is the latest Revelation from Allmighty God (Allah) for All the Human & Jinn kinds WorldWide. Our suggestion just Study all Religions including Islam, then you're welcome to convert to the religion of Islam in order to successfully pass this Test of Life and be saved 📗from🍀🍃 everlasting Punishment of the HellFire. We wish All the Best 🕊🍀💬🌷🌷🌷

[@richarddangles8896]

There's a reason we don't build houses under power lines. This road will microwave you while you drive. Brilliant idea..

[@gracerodgers8952]

What could go wrong?

[@drakehonest9]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@Dungshoveleux]

The headline suggests the car will charge you for every mile you drive, lol. Road pricing here we come.

[@niralie-y8e]

i dnt think so this is the finest solution becouse we want spped when we are vharging we need fastest charging solution thats need in ev secment

[@aarononeal9830]

The bbc needs to talk about Ecosia they are a search engine that plants trees

[@tora201jp]

Ummm just no. Imagine the massive cost of installing these. And then the maintenance. Easier and cheaper (and likely better for thr environment ) to just stick with traditional cars thanks.