Sweden has inaugurated a pilot "electric road" that charges vehicles as they drive.
The test site was opened on 4 June in the city of Lund.
The patented technology developed by the Swedish company Elonroad AB, with Lund University, transmits up to 300 kW of power to the vehicle through a retractable pick-up that drags along a metal rail embedded in the road.
From now to 2022, an electric bus will run the route, called "Evolution Road", one week a month to test the system.
"With Elonroad’s technology, the installation is exceptionally simple and cost effective," said the company’s chief executive, Karin Ebbinghaus.
The Swedish government is spending just under $9m (SEK 84 million) on the project.
It believes the system will help the country reach its target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by 70% by 2030.
Sweden’s Minister for Energy and Digital Development, Anders Ygeman, said the project "will provide crucial knowledge for this important mission".
Behind the initiative is a private-public Swedish consortium, Evolution Road, funded by the Swedish Transport Administration.
Also involved are: Innovation Skåne AB, Kraftringen Energi AB, Lund Municipality, Faculty of Engineering at Lund University, Ramboll, Skånetrafiken, Solaris Sverige AB and the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, VTI.
Image: The system transmits up to 300 kW of power to the vehicle through a retractable pick-up that drags along a metal rail (Evolution Road)
