Detroit to Test Electrically-Charging Roadways
Almost a decade ago at the time of publishing, there was a viral sensation that hit the United States by storm that was referred to as “Solar FREAKIN’ Roadways!”, with promises of using solar power to create better, more durable roads that had built in features such as led lights and heating if the road became snowy.
It did not work.
In 2023, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is testing a new project that would charge electric vehicles as they drive on the road. With the technology having been proven through wireless charging in cell phones, it may just become a reality (as opposed to solar roadways).
Details
MDOT is taking a quarter mile of roadway along 14th street in Detroit that will have charging coils installed directly beneath it. It will then allow electric vehicles with receivers on the undercarriage to pick up a charge while underneath it through a magnetic field.
MDOT Director Bradley C. Wieferich considers it to be a technological revolution, stating:“In Michigan, we want to stay ahead of the curve. We want to lead the curve.”
Should this technology come to trucking, it will likely not be able to charge a Class 8 heavy-duty truck at a rate equivalent to its energy expenditure. However, it would certainly slow down how fast a truck’s battery depletes, and may be able to allow a driver to travel an entire day on a single charge, as opposed to possibly spending up to 4.5 hours waiting for electricity during the day.
Conclusion
Even if the technology proves to be fruitful, it will require an entire revamping of the nation’s infrastructure, tearing apart road yard by yard to install the charging coils underneath it. On the positive side, this would motivate the government to finally do some road repair on the nation’s potholes, as they would rebuild the road once the charging coils become installed.
We hope that this method of wireless charging works out well, as the prospect is exciting. Plus, it may just be possible that the charging coils could heat up roads to melt snow on mountainous highways, as the “Solar Freakin’ Roadways” were planned to do before they fell by the wayside.
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