Electric vehicles (EVs) are all the rage as companies race to produce cars and trucks that reduce our impact on the planet, charge quickly, drive farther, and are affordable. In fact, there is reason to believe that EVs will become the most widely purchased vehicles over the next ten years. And some parts of the world are already in a good position to support the transition from internal combustion engines, investing significant funds to build out reliable infrastructures for charging electric cars, trucks, and busses. But in other places, like the U.S. where distances are great and people are attached to their gas-powered vehicles, the transition to an electric vehicle future is occurring at a much slower pace.
In fact, one wonders if there is another way to create the right infrastructure without having to install thousands of EV charging stations.
Enter Sweden and Trafikverket, the Swedish transport administration, which is piloting the first electric or “e” motorway. Their test, on the island of Gotland, is based on a totally different approach to electric vehicle infrastructure – one in which, the road charges the vehicles that drive along it.
It is a remarkable idea, and depending on the success of their tests, a truly compelling alternative to the way that the rest of us had viewed the EV infrastructure of the future. It also comes with a lot of advantages. This includes the reduction and potential elimination of “range anxiety” and eliminating the need to pull over for 20 – 30 minutes to charge your vehicle. Though it does give me, and people like me, more regular coffee breaks. And, as we all know, caffeine is very useful when trying to stay awake and focused on long drive. It makes even more sense for trucks, and especially long-haul trucks that will be able to keep driving for longer distances. Though their drivers will have to bring their own coffee!
We win in business and in life when we imagine a better and an easier way to do things that isn’t bound by other solutions. And when we find time to enjoy a good cup of coffee.
