In recent years, the world has witnessed a surge in the adoption of electric vehicles as a cleaner and more sustainable mode of transport. However, even with EVs becoming more popular than ever and technology being as advanced as it is, EV owners are still facing some challenges, one of which is the availability of charging points while on long journeys.
Local driving with an EV is a breeze as you know you can rely on your home charging point to get more juice when you need it, but if you’re planning a journey that’s more than 250 miles, you’ll need to plan when and where to charge your vehicle en route and this is sometimes easier said than done.
The problem with charging points
Although there are 35,000 EV charging points in the UK, not all of them actually work and many internal EV charging point locators will direct you to charging points which are out of action. In fact, according to a survey by Which?, 75% of EV users are ‘dissatisfied with the charging infrastructure.’
Another common issue is the wait time to charge your vehicle. The very minimum amount of time people generally spend charging their electric car is about 30 minutes, but EVs can take hours to reach full charge. This is not ideal at a charging station with only a few chargers and a whole lot of flat batteries. The government will be upping the amount of charging points across the UK, but for the time being, getting a full charge while on the road can still have its challenges.
So, what’s the plan?
Obviously adding more charging points across the country will be a huge help to EV owners, but there are some alternative options being explored by researchers including electric roads.
The idea of electric roads involves embedding charging infrastructure directly into the road surface, allowing EVs to charge their batteries while driving. The concept is like wireless charging points used for phones and tablets, but on a much larger scale. As EVs travel along these specially equipped roads, they can draw power from the infrastructure, thereby extending their driving range and eliminating the need for frequent stops at charging stations.
“The basic premise for electric roads is incredibly simple; the road infrastructure is responsible for supplying electricity to all vehicles using the road at any one time. Typically, this is achieved via either overhead or underground power lines, which transfer power directly to vehicles via inductive coils, or conductive rails,” explains Fuel Card Services. Countries such as South Korea and Sweden already have a form of charging roads in place, with expansion plans set for the next few years.
What are the pros and cons?
Although it’s hard to see a downside (especially if you own an EV) there are always two sides to everything.
The list of pros is extensive and includes seamless charging for EV users, increased range and efficiency, reduced infrastructure requirements for charging stations, and generally great environmental benefits. So, what are some of the potential cons?
Implementing electric roads on a large scale would require significant infrastructure upgrades, which can be pricey and the transition from conventional could take some serious planning and coordination.
Not necessarily a con, but safety and maintenance would need to be a big consideration. Electric roads need to be designed with safety in mind and strict measures would have to be taken to prevent accidental contact with the charging infrastructure. Regular maintenance and inspection would also be required to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Will it happen and when?
Potentially yes, but not any time soon. There’s still a long way to go in the world of EVs, and although sales are soaring, we’re still a way from making massive infrastructural changes such as electric roads to get across the country. So until the E-highways are here, make sure you’ve got enough charge to get home!
