No Charging, No Waiting! France Tests World’s First Road That Charges Electric Cars While Driving
Imagine this — you’re cruising down a highway in your electric car, and while it’s speeding ahead, the battery keeps charging on its own. No cables, no charging station stops, no waiting. Sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, right? Well, this has now become a reality in France.
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| An electric vehicle recharges wirelessly on the A10 motorway in France, powered by an inductive charging system embedded in the road. |
The country has launched the world’s first motorway that can wirelessly charge electric vehicles as they drive. This isn’t just a technological milestone — it’s a glimpse into the future of transportation, where roads themselves become a source of energy.
France’s big step toward sustainable mobility
In a major leap toward sustainable mobility, France has rolled out the first-ever motorway equipped with a dynamic wireless charging system. This cutting-edge technology allows electric vehicles — from cars to trucks — to recharge while moving. That means no more stopping at charging stations.
Where and how the project began
The pilot project has started on the A10 motorway, about 40 kilometers southwest of Paris. Led by VINCI Autoroutes, the initiative is a collaboration between Electreon, VINCI Construction, Gustave Eiffel University, and Hutchinson.
The project, called “Charge as You Drive,” has successfully moved from lab testing to real-world traffic conditions — a huge step forward for EV innovation.
How it works
A 1.5-kilometer stretch of the motorway has electromagnetic coils embedded beneath the surface. As electric vehicles — including trucks, buses, and passenger cars — pass over them, energy is wirelessly transferred to the vehicle.
In initial tests, the system achieved peak power levels above 300 kW and an average energy transfer of 200 kW, proving the concept both powerful and efficient.
What experts are saying
Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Autoroutes, said,
“If this technology is integrated into France’s main road network along with charging stations, the electrification of heavy vehicles will accelerate dramatically. It will also cut carbon emissions from the logistics sector.”
Oren Ezer, CEO of Electreon, called it a “turning point in the history of electric road technology,” adding that,
“No other system in the world today offers such sustainability and power in dynamic charging.”
The science behind it
This dynamic induction charging technology works through electromagnetic fields. Coils embedded under the road transmit energy to receivers installed in the EVs as they drive.
The energy can either go directly to power the motor or be stored in the battery for later use. The biggest advantage? Vehicles no longer need to stop for charging — they charge on the move.
This also means EVs can use smaller, lighter batteries, reducing manufacturing costs and dependence on rare minerals like lithium and cobalt. For heavy vehicles like trucks, it translates to greater load capacity, lower costs, and better energy efficiency.
A network of real-time sensors and software ensures precise coordination between the road transmitters and vehicle receivers, making the energy transfer seamless and safe.
Other countries are joining the race
France may be the first to test this on a live motorway, but it’s not alone.
Germany is preparing a 1-kilometer test track on the A6 motorway using the same Electreon technology.
Italy’s “Arena del Futuro” project in Lombardy is testing similar systems for buses and trucks.
Sweden, the U.S., China, South Korea, and Israel are also exploring their own versions of electric road systems (ERS).
These experiments will help define the standards, costs, and scalability of this revolutionary technology in the years ahead.
The potential benefits
This innovation could reshape the future of electric mobility:
Smaller EV batteries will reduce dependence on imported minerals like lithium and cobalt.
Continuous charging will make electric freight transportation cheaper and more efficient.
It will boost EV adoption by removing range anxiety.
It will help expand and enhance charging infrastructure globally.
The road ahead
Over the next few months, France’s pilot project will collect data on road durability, power delivery, maintenance, and overall costs. This 1.5-kilometer section is just the beginning — if the results remain positive, similar systems could soon spread across France, Europe, and eventually, the world.
The future is clear: roads will no longer just connect destinations — they’ll power the journey itself.