Although logistical problems remain, roads could prove to be a boon for clean transportation.No ChargeMagment, a German company, has partnered up with Indiana's state government and Purdue University in order to develop new high-tech streets that automatically charge any electric vehicle equipped with a receiver.According to Tech Xplore, the roads are powered by magnetic particles that have been mixed into concrete. When electrified, they can transfer power with a 95 percent efficiency. Although technical details are scarce, more information should be available after a test of a small section of road near Purdue's campus. If all goes according to plan, the Indiana Department of Transportation could build additional roads throughout the state. This is a hint at a future where public infrastructure will be designed to support cleaner modes of transport.A growing trendSince a long time, the idea of a road that charges electric vehicles while they are driving on it has been floating around. Limited tests have been conducted by other companies and governments, such as a Tel Aviv trial in 2018.It is not the idea that is the biggest problem, but how to make it practical. A Cornell University engineer who worked on similar tech in May predicted that electric car charging streets would be five to ten more years away.AdvertisementAdvertisementWorldbuildingAccording to Tech Xplore, Magment scientists claim that building a road using their materials would be cheaper than building traditional roads.However, this still means that new roads will need to be built or that existing ones can be replaced. This is despite the fact that roads must be powered and the poor state of American infrastructure. It seems daunting.READ MORE: Indiana will test magment: A magnetized concrete for charging electric vehicles [Tech Xplore]Cornell Scientist Reveals Roadway that Charges Electric Cars while DrivingAdvertisementAdvertisement
