On-the-go charging: Coming soon in France

The ambitious project “Charge as you drive,” aiming to develop dynamic wireless charging via induction on highways, reaches a crucial milestone.

This initiative, led by a consortium headed by VINCI Autoroutes, tackles the electrification of heavy goods vehicles, a major challenge in decarbonization. Road transport accounts for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, and 90% of goods are transported by road. Current stationary charging systems require heavy, bulky batteries. Conversely, dynamic charging allows for smaller batteries while optimizing range and minimizing environmental impact related to the production of materials such as lithium or cobalt.

Starting in April 2025, four vehicles equipped with receiving coils—a heavy truck, a utility van, a car, and a bus—will conduct tests on this highway segment. These tests will validate the performance of dynamic charging and assess its potential for possible expansion to other routes.

How does it work?

The transmitting coils installed beneath the roadway generate an electromagnetic field captured by receiving coils located under the vehicles. This energy directly powers the engine while charging the batteries. By reducing charging times and battery costs, this technology could revolutionize electric mobility.

With similar projects in development in Germany, Italy, and Sweden, “Charge as you drive” places France at the forefront of innovation. Deploying this solution on a large scale could yield significant advances toward carbon neutrality, while also reducing the environmental impact of battery production. The project represents a future lever for cleaner, more efficient transportation.

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