New road plans promise to ‘charge electric vehicles while driving’

ELECTRIC vehicle owners have been notified of new road plans that promise to act as a charging station as cars drive on them.

In Florida, between Lake and Orange Counties, EV enthusiasts are excited about what has been dubbed a “tremendous evolution.”

The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) confirmed the approval of an expressway development between the counties that would link Highway 27 and State Road 429 on Thursday, per NBC affiliate WESH.

CFX’s governing board unanimously approved the first phase of the toll road’s construction, which will be called State Road 516.

The authority’s Manager of Community Engagement, Brian Hutchings, told the outlet that the conception came out of data that showed only a few roads connected the counties, which are among the fastest growing areas in the state.

“They’re two of the fastest-growing regions in the entire state of Florida,” Hutchings emphasized of Lake and Orange County.

The first phase of the roadway is expected to cost about $218 million.

Its total completion price sits at around $534 million, something that Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks noted as well worth it considering it could relieve traffic congestion and provide revolutionary services to electric vehicle drivers.

“This will be an immense relief for the region,” Parks told WESH.

“Quite frankly, it’ll be a good economic driver as well. There’s an interchange that’s planned that will promote the right kind of jobs and create a job center for us in Lake County.”

He explained that State Road 516 will seemingly be the first roadway in the world that charges EVs as they drive on it through coils under the pavement.

“We know that roads are not pretty,” Parks said.

“But what’s unique about this is this will be one of the most sustainable, one of the most conservation-minded roads in the world.”

“And I don’t think that’s an exaggeration,” he added.

“We will have the roadway which will be equipped with these coils that can charge electric vehicles as they travel over them.”

“So, think about with your smartphone you put on a charging pad. It’s very similar technology to that, only on a grander scale.”

The cutting-edge tech was developed in partnership with companies ASPIRE and ENRX.

Although the catch is that the charging will only initially work for a fleet of test vehicles — the goal is to charge any EV that drives on State Road 516.

“It’s going to be a tremendous evolution when you have vehicles and trucks that are electrified, that can travel over roads and never have to plug in,” Hutchings stressed while speaking to WESH.

“It’s exciting times, definitely.”

Parks claimed the development could “be a leadership model for the rest of the world.”

The self-charging road will also reportedly be built in a greenspace, with a wildlife underpass to protect the surrounding environment and paths for bikers, walkers, and runners.

Its construction is set to begin in the spring of 2025, with completion by the end of 2027.

For more on EVs, check out The U.S. Sun’s coverage of a car testing pro’s data that shows electric vehicle costs are at least 50 percent less than cars that run on diesel.

The U.S. Sun also has the story on why a few popular EV designs won’t qualify for a $7,500 tax credit in the upcoming weeks.