US to Test World’s First Highway with In-built Electric Vehicle Charging

• 11 August 2021
• Construction Focus
• 2037 Views

Indiana’s Department of Transportation (Indot), Purdue University, and German startup Magment are working to create the world’s first concrete highway that can wirelessly charge the electric vehicles that drive on it, reported GCR.

Magnetisable concrete will be tested and analysed at a stretch of road at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus.

This first trial will allow engineers to monitor the road durability and capacity to charge heavy trucks with a power of 200kw.

If the trial is successful, the team will implement phase three by electrifying a segment of a highway in Indiana.

Indot Commissioner Joe McGuinness said that this will be the new breakthrough to provide convenient charging infrastructure.

“As electric vehicles become more widely used, demand for reliable, convenient charging infrastructure continues to grow, and the need to innovate is clear,” he added.

• Technology and Engineering
• Road and Infrastructure