A wireless charging system for electric vehicles on the road is being developed in the USA. This would allow electrically powered cars to charge simply by driving along a stretch of road with pairs of insulated metal plates that generate magnetic fields.

In many parts of the world, including Italian cities, there is a lack of infrastructure for rapid charging of electric vehicles, but in the future, we might be using systems that bypass the need for conventional charging columns. At what stage is the development of induction charging for electric cars?

Induction charging makes use of magnetic fields while the vehicle is in use. Studies are currently underway to install wireless charging points on road surfaces, at traffic lights and in car parks.

These devices do not require the use of cables, they supply constant power and solve the two main problems associated with electric vehicles: charging times and the lack of charging columns in certain areas.

Induction charging for electric cars also offers space-saving advantages, both in cities and in business or private contexts: special parking spaces for charging electric cars will no longer be necessary as they will receive power on the road during use.

Several companies around the world are testing new technologies to provide induction charging in an effort to overcome hurdles in the adoption of electric vehicles. A case in point is graphene asphalt, an excellent electrical conductor, as well as a durable material that resists the formation of potholes.

Trials are already underway on the A35 Brebemi motorway in Italy.

In Sweden, there are experiments involving the installation of receptors underneath vehicles: the technology is similar to that used on trolleybuses, except that in this case no electric cables are required. The receivers connect to underground rails that emit electric current by induction, so that the car always has power available.

The introduction of induction charging technologies would promote the use of electric vehicles. This is mainly because it would facilitate and speed up charging, which currently requires bulky and often unavailable infrastructure. There will be no need for special places to charge vehicles, as you can simply charge your car while driving on the road.

Given that electricity will always be available, battery sizes could be reduced, together with their costs and disposal issues.

Trials are underway all over the world, although many obstacles still remain, mostly due to a lack of finance, and because solutions are needed that can adapt to current road conditions.

There are also people who question whether these induction technologies are healthy for humans, or for animals and local biodiversity. Finally, another question concerns payment for the electricity: if there is no need to stop to charge the car and power will always be available, who will pay for it all?