France has taken a major step toward redefining electric mobility by opening a stretch of roadway that can charge electric vehicles while they drive

 

 

 

France has taken a major step toward redefining electric mobility by opening a stretch of roadway that can charge electric vehicles while they drive. 

 

On a 1.5-kilometre section of the A10 motorway near Paris, coils embedded beneath the asphalt wirelessly transfer electricity to vehicles equipped with special receivers mounted underneath. The system works on the same principle as wireless phone charging, but at a far larger scale, delivering more than 200 kilowatts continuously, with peaks reaching around 300 kilowatts.

 

This is no longer just an experiment. Cars, buses, and trucks are already using the lane, proving the technology can function in real traffic conditions. Because vehicles receive power while moving, they no longer need to stop for long charging sessions. This could dramatically reduce travel time and allow manufacturers to design vehicles with smaller, lighter batteries, an especially important advantage for long-haul freight and public transport.

 

The induction system is sealed beneath the road surface, so it works reliably in rain, snow, and harsh weather without exposed electrical contacts. That makes it safer and more durable than many conventional charging solutions. While the current installation is short and requires vehicles to be fitted with compatible receivers, it demonstrates how roads themselves can become part of the energy infrastructure rather than just a route to a charger.

 

The project was developed by the company Electreon in collaboration with French industry and academic partners. If expanded, this approach could transform highways into continuous charging networks, addressing one of the biggest remaining barriers to widespread electric vehicle adoption and fundamentally changing how future transport systems are designed.