Using electricity for transportation does not only come in the form of electric vehicles. Several regions across the world employ an overhead electric line to power vehicles, using electricity indirectly in the process. India is soon to have one such project too, through a a 10-km pilot electric highway on the upcoming Delhi-Mumbai expressway.?
The confirmation for the project came directly from the Highways minister - Nitin Gadkari in Lok Sabha this Tuesday. As per the minister, the project will come to fruition in the next two-three years and will power electric vehicles on the roads. But how will it work?
The idea is to have overhead electric supplies running through a stretch on the upcoming Delhi-Mumbai expressway. These lines would then be used to power electric vehicles on the road below, such as trucks and buses, thus powering them while on the go.?
The method would increase range and reduce range-anxiety on such vehicles. Instead of having to stop to charge such vehicles as and when the battery runs out, the vehicles will be powered on the go and have their batteries being re-fed on the move, thus adding to the range.?
(Representative Image: Siemens)
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As per sources cited in this?report, the 10-km stretch would cost a total of Rs 200 crore, including support systems like the overhead cables and substations. The ministry will also enlist a truck manufacturer for the process to produce some prototypes.?
This is not a one-off project. Germany debuted its electric highway on May 7, 2019, stretching across a total distance of 10 km on a road just south of Frankfurt. The system is being used to power hybrid trucks in the region, as an effort to cut down on the emissions released by the diesel-powered delivery trucks.
The project in India will serve the same purpose but for that, there will be a need for supporting vehicles, which will be able to connect to the overhead lines on the run and induct charge to their batteries. Hence the collaboration with the OEMs will also be a crucial factor as and when the project is brought to a reality.?