In a revolutionary move for sustainable transportation, France has introduced Electreon’s pioneering recharging system to the A10 motorway southwest of Paris. This world-first concept allows electric vehicles to recharge their batteries “dynamically, without stopping or physical contact” using a groundbreaking induction system.
The future of electric vehicle travel in France has arrived with the announcement of the rollout of the ‘Charge as you Drive’ scheme on 28th November.
It was first revealed in June 2023 by Bpifrance, the French public investment bank, that Electreon, a leading provider of wireless charging solutions, had won a tender to install its innovative technology on a portion of France’s motorway network and thus create the country’s first wireless Electric Road System (ERS). The project is part of a wider collaboration between France’s Ministry of Transport—now under the Ministry of Ecological Transition—and Vinci Autoroutes, the company that finances, designs, builds and operates many motorways in France. Together, they aim to revolutionise greener and cleaner forms of transportation.
Now, a two-kilometre section of the A10 motorway features Electreon’s wireless dynamic charging system, complemented by an additional static wireless charging system at a designated stop en route.
Excitement surrounding the project is high, not only because of its cutting-edge technology but also for its potential to promote eco-friendly transportation.
In a statement shared on social media, Vinci Autoroutes stated:
“World first! Launch of the ‘Charge as you Drive’ project on the A10 highway. This induction system will allow you to recharge without contact and without stopping… This experiment is intended to support the decarbonisation of road freight transport, which represents a significant part of CO2 emissions in the mobility sector. The environmental emergency is indeed pushing us all to find solutions and test them in the field.”
ERS technology could significantly reduce the environmental impact of road freight. According to a 2021 report by the French Ministry of Transport, electrifying approximately 8,850 kilometres of France’s roads over the next decade could cut CO2 emissions by up to 87% compared to diesel-powered systems.
The ‘Charge as you Drive’ project marks an important first step in the French government’s long-term plan to position the country as a global leader in green transport innovation, paving the way for broader adoption of ERS technology across Europe and beyond.
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Photo source: Vinci Autoroutes