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Just when I couldn’t imagine that electric car technology couldn’t possibly get more fascinating, a new upcoming development is announced. While doing my daily browsing of the BBC, there was an article that captivated my attention: “Wireless Highway Charges Electric Cars as They Go.” Currently, the average price of gas per gallon across the United States is hovering at nearly $3.80. If this rises to $4.00, that’s likely going to be the magic number that sparks everyone into seriously considering the once alien concept of electric car technology. After all, how much more can we tolerate the volatility of gas prices?
In all of my criticisms of electric car technology, I have always been keen on aspects such as limited range and battery charging time for electric cars. And for this reason, the article that I read today absolutely rocked my world! It goes like this: Researchers and engineers at Stanford, led by Dr. Sasoon, are rather successfully developing a mechanism that is capable of continually charging a battery-powered car. And this is the part that is so incredibly mind-blowing: This bit of genius is achieved by a “resonance coupling system” integrated INTO ROADS! According to Dr. Sasoon, the metal (Primarily rebar and steel) already used in road construction can be used for part of the transmitter. This idea brings this whole concept of “road charging” yet another step closer to practicality. Can you imagine seeing road crews not only laying rebar, but installing resonance coupling devices too?
For my readers who happen to be science nerds (A title deemed by simply being extremely smart and awesome), here is an interesting detail of the resonance coupling system that drives this brilliant concept into reality: The resonance coupling system that would be integrated into the roads, is capable of launching 10kW of power up to 6ft! This reported value is theoretically enough to give a car the juice that it needs to keep you cruising with some Journey blasting through your speakers. All in all, there are still many challenges to overcome before all of our roads are electrified, but you’ve got to admit, this idea is quite intriguing! Someday, electric car technology is going to be affecting all of us exponentially. Waiting at red lights are going to be charging our car batteries and all of the polar bears will be saved by our increasing environmental friendliness right?
If you enjoyed reading this article, I would fully recommend reading the original article written by Jon Stewart from BBC.
