Coventry to trial new wireless charging tech by 2020

Coventry intends to create the UK’s first public ‘E-lane’ next year by installing wireless chargers on to a stretch of road in the north east of the city.

If it proves successful, experts say that the initiative, designed to revolutionise transport in the UK, could pave the way for electric vehicle use to become widespread across the UK and beyond within the next decade.

The ‘E-lane’ means that electric cars cam be charged wirelessly while on the move, removing the anxiety drivers face when charging stations cannot be found or are located too far away - often cited as motorists main concern about buying electric. The idea of ‘charing-on-the-go’ removes the need for drivers to stop every 100 to 250 miles, find a charging station and wait while their battery tops up.

Shamala Evans, Senior Project Manager for Transport, Infrastructure and Innovation at Coventry city Council, said: “Charging batteries on the move is key to the success of electric vehicles in the UK, not least because it will take away the anxiety many people feel about finding a charging station before it’s too late.”

The first public road in the world that can wirelessly recharge electric-car batteries while they are on the move is due to open in Illinois early next year.