Sweden tests overhead cables to power 'electric roads'
An "electric road" that uses overhead lines to power electric trucks, similar to the system used by railways, has been tested by the Swedish Transport Administration. A new Swedish project, with partners that include Scania and Volvo, will examine how to scale-up the idea and also consider technical standardisation. The project has a budget of around SEK27m ($3.1m) and will run until 2019. Objectives for the research include establishing the benefits and costs of electric roads and evaluating implementation strategies.

The Swedish Transport Administration has been testing an “electric road,” which features overhead catenary lines that provide power to electric trucks – a system similar to that used by railroads.

A new Swedish project, “Research and Innovation Platform for Electric Roads,” will explore how to make the step to large-scale operation, and examine technical issues such as the standardization of interfaces.

Viktoria Swedish ICT is coordinating the project, together with several research institutes and industry partners including Scania and Volvo.

“The various parts of electric road systems have been developed in several research projects over quite some time,” said Project Manager Håkan Sundelin. “Technology demonstrations are ongoing along the E16 road at Sandviken and being prepared between Arlanda Airport and Rosersberg Logistics area. Our goal is to gather and build knowledge about ERS in order to answer some of the considerable questions that remain.”

The project, which has a budget of around 27 million Swedish crowns ($3.1 million), is scheduled to last through 2019. Goals include clarifying the benefits and costs of electric roads, and evaluating various implementation strategies.

“We are about to secure the technical solutions needed for electric roads and electric vehicles,” said Torbjörn Holmström, Volvo Group Chief Technology Officer. “In order to reach full-scale implementation, a series of other questions needs to be solved, e.g. business models and electrical infrastructure. This research and innovation platform is important since it unites actors from different fields in order to find the needed solutions.”

Source: Viktoria Swedish ICT via Green Car Congress