France has put into service a section of highway with dynamic inductive charging on the A10, capable of supplying energy to electric vehicles while they are in motion. It is a 1,5 km pilot which operates under real traffic conditions and seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of recharging while driving without needing to stop.
The project is led by a consortium made up of VINCI Autoroutes, Electreon, VINCI Construction, Gustave Eiffel University and Hutchinsonwith public support. Sustained power levels have been recorded in the first tests. above 200 kW and peaks of up to 300 kWfigures comparable to the current fast charging.
What is the pilot section and where is it located?
The segment is located about 40 km southwest of Parisnear Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines and Angervilliers. Under the asphalt, approximately 900 coils about 10 cm deep that transfer energy to receivers located on the underside of vehicles.
During the testing phase, the following participate four types of vehicles (cars, vans, buses, and heavy trucks) equipped with compatible receivers. For heavy transport, in this 1,5km stretch The recharge is still modest (around 1% energy), but sufficient to validate continuous operation in open traffic.
In specific test scenarios, with sustained power levels exceeding 200 kW, A significant fraction of the battery has been recovered in just a few minutes of driving, which supports the potential of dynamic charging for extended journeys. How sodium batteries are changing It provides context on the evolution of batteries in electric mobility.
The initiative is part of the national program of transportation decarbonization, with a reference public funding of 26 million euros for its development, integration and technical evaluation.
Technology, testing and security
The system works by electromagnetic inductionThe coils under the road surface generate a field that the vehicle's sensors convert into electricity. An embedded control identifies authorized vehicles and activates the transfer only when necessary, ensuring efficiency and safety.
Technology has surpassed durability tests equivalent to 25 years of heavy traffic, as well as laboratory verifications and independent measurements in France. In addition, the consortium is working on interoperability so that different manufacturers can adopt compatible receivers.
For commercial use, models are being considered of subscription or pay-per-useThese solutions, aimed at both fleets and individuals, will become available once manufacturers integrate receivers into the standard or offer approved conversion kits. This type of solution is of particular interest to fleets and companies that seek to optimize costs and operations.
Among the challenges are the cost per electrified kilometer (estimated at around 13 million euros in reference projects), the need to standardize equipment and a overall efficiency close to 85%, with losses inherent to inductive transfer that are monitored to optimize performance.
- Key benefits: fewer stops, possibility of smaller batteries and a smaller carbon footprint over the life cycle.
- ChallengesInvestment in civil works, vehicle compatibility and long-term maintenance.
Roadmap and European context
If the pilot confirms technical and operational objectives, France proposes extend to about 100 km of electrified sections in the next decade and move towards a network of up to 9.000km in 2035, which would cover most of the country's highways.
The main beneficiary would be merchandise transportsBy recharging while in motion, trucks can operate with lighter batteries, reducing costs and cut emissionsAccording to industry estimates, roads account for the majority of journeys today and will continue to be key in the coming decades.
Europe is also accelerating: Sweden works in a reference corridor towards Hallsberg, German Testing systems with pantographs on the A5, Italy experience on the A35 Brebemi, and Spain It is moving forward with urban and industrial pilot projects (CTAG, Endesa X Way). All of this is under the regulatory impetus for decarbonize transport and the EU's electrification targets. In Spain there are practical examples of urban and industrial pilots that help to compare approaches.
The French experience could become continental model if it demonstrates savings in battery energy, less dependence on raw materials, and strengthening of the European energy management components and software industry.
With a phased rollout, the A10 marks a milestone which illustrates how to integrate cargo into road infrastructure: a proposal that reduces range anxiety, facilitates long journeys and opens the door to more affordable vehicles without sacrificing range.
