Can you believe it? Sweden is planning to build the world’s first permanent electrified road, allowing electric vehicles to charge while driving. The project is expected to involve converting a section of the E20 motorway near Örebro into an electric road. A permanent charging road capable of providing power while vehicles are moving could become a major milestone in the future of electric transport.
Where Is It?
Sweden has already trialled several electrified road projects in recent years, but this is expected to be the country’s most ambitious initiative yet.
Around 13 miles of the E20 motorway will be converted, forming part of an important transport route connecting three major Swedish cities: Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
The project forms part of Sweden’s wider strategy to reduce transport emissions and accelerate the transition towards cleaner vehicle technology.
Who Is In Charge?
The project is being overseen by Sweden’s national transport administration, which is responsible for developing and maintaining the country’s transport infrastructure.
While the final charging technology has not yet been selected, planning and procurement work has already been underway, with the goal of creating one of the world’s first large-scale permanent electrified roads.
How Will It Work?
Several different technologies are being considered for the project, including:
- Overhead power lines similar to those used by trams and trains
- Ground-level conductive rails embedded into the road surface
- Wireless inductive charging coils installed beneath the road
If rail or inductive charging technology is selected, vehicles would use a receiver underneath the vehicle to collect electricity while travelling.
The road would only supply power when a compatible vehicle is directly above the charging section, helping improve efficiency and reduce energy waste.
How Much Will It Cost?
The overall cost will depend on the final charging technology selected and the scale of the rollout.
Current estimates suggest:
- Electrifying one kilometre of road costs approximately €1 million
- Installation costs are significantly lower than building urban tram networks
- Government funding has supported previous pilot schemes
- Long-term infrastructure costs could be lower than expanding charging networks and increasing battery sizes across an entire vehicle fleet
Although the initial investment is substantial, supporters argue that the long-term benefits could outweigh the upfront costs.
What Will It Achieve?
Dynamic charging roads could offer several potential benefits:
- Reduced reliance on larger, heavier EV batteries
- Less time spent waiting at charging stations
- Greater convenience for long-distance travel
- Reduced transport-related carbon emissions
Sweden has set ambitious environmental targets and sees transport electrification as a key part of achieving them.
Future plans could see thousands of kilometres of electrified roads introduced across the country if the technology proves successful.
Will It Work?
The concept offers several potential advantages over traditional charging methods.
By allowing vehicles to charge while moving, drivers may be able to travel longer distances without stopping to recharge. This could help reduce range anxiety and improve the practicality of electric vehicle ownership.
However, challenges remain around infrastructure costs, vehicle compatibility and large-scale implementation.
Could It Be Replicated in the UK?
Interestingly, the UK has already begun exploring similar technologies.
One example involved a wireless charging trial for electric taxis, designed to test how vehicles could recharge without plugging into conventional charging stations.
The trial demonstrated the convenience of wireless charging technology, although some participants suggested faster charging speeds would improve the experience.
As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, projects like these could provide valuable insights into how future charging infrastructure may evolve across the UK.
If you’re interested in the future of electric motoring, you may also want to read our guide on the V4 Tesla Supercharger and our article exploring the best ULEZ-compliant cars for low-emission driving.
Final Thoughts
Sweden’s proposed electrified motorway could represent a major step forward for electric vehicle technology.
While challenges remain, the ability to charge vehicles while driving has the potential to transform long-distance EV travel, reduce charging downtime and support wider adoption of electric vehicles.
Whether similar roads eventually become common across Europe remains to be seen, but projects like this provide a fascinating glimpse into the future of transport.
For more electric vehicle news, charging advice and EV ownership guides, visit our maintenance guidance hub.
If you’re considering switching to an electric vehicle or want to understand how changing technology may affect your vehicle’s value, you can get a free valuation through Jamjar’s Value My Car service.