Back in 2023, the European Union passed a special resolution. It required its members to have all new cars sold to have zero CO2 emissions by 2035. To have the necessary infrastructure in place Sweden is now turning highways into permanent electrified roads. These are the world’s first electric highways. The aim of these highways is for EVs to charge while driving. Sweden already pioneered several pilot projects in this direction. Experts say dynamic charging allows them to travel longer distances with smaller batteries, and to avoid waiting at charging stations. Let’s dive in to find out more details of this project.
The Swedish Transport Administration’s Electric Road Program
Sweden’s pioneering project stems from its Electric Road Program, run by the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket). This initiative focuses on developing roads that will charge EVs wirelessly while in motion. Sweden aims to integrate electric highways into its transport infrastructure, reducing carbon emissions and supporting its goal to become fossil-fuel-free by 2045.

This initiative is a response to several pressing challenges. Traditional EV charging stations require drivers to stop and plug in their vehicles for charging, creating delays. These electric roads aim to eliminate the need for frequent stops, thus making EVs more efficient and convenient for long-distance travel.
The program began with pilot projects on roads such as E16 in Sandviken, a 2-kilometer stretch where trucks equipped with overhead pantographs could charge while driving. The success of this test led to plans for expanding this technology across more road networks in the country.
The World’s First Permanent Electric Highway
In May 2023, Sweden announced that it was moving forward with the construction of the world’s first permanent electric highway. The project will span a key route between the cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. This corridor, already one of the busiest in the country, is expected to revolutionize how EVs are used in Sweden.
The Swedish government has allocated significant resources toward this project, including substantial financial support from the European Union. According to the Swedish Transport Administration, the first section of the road, located on the E20 highway, will be completed by 2025. This section will be the first part of a larger plan to electrify 3,000 kilometers of highways in Sweden by 2045.

The technology that will power this road includes a series of embedded electrical systems under the road surface. These systems will use inductive or conductive charging to transfer energy to vehicles. Vehicles will either be equipped with a pantograph that connects to the charging system or a wireless charging receiver.
Types of Electric Road Technologies
Several technologies are being considered for electric roads. Each has advantages and limitations, and Sweden is actively testing all options to find the most suitable solution for its highways.
1. Overhead Catenary Systems: This system is already in use for heavy-duty trucks in some pilot projects. Overhead wires provide power to a vehicle equipped with a pantograph that extends to connect with the wires. This method is highly effective for large trucks, which consume more energy than regular EVs.

2. Conductive Rails: Another option is conductive rails embedded in the road. Vehicles have a connector that attaches to these rails, allowing power to flow directly from the road to the vehicle’s battery. The challenge with conductive rails is safety, as it requires careful engineering to prevent any hazards to other road users.
3. Wireless Inductive Charging: This method uses wireless charging technology embedded under the road surface. Coils beneath the road create a magnetic field that transfers energy to a receiver located at the bottom of an EV. Inductive charging is promising because it doesn’t require physical connections. However, the technology is still under development, and the efficiency rates need improvement.

The Swedish Transport Administration is conducting extensive tests on all three technologies to determine the best option for permanent implementation. Early results suggest that a mix of these technologies could be used, with different solutions tailored for different types of vehicles.
Environmental and Economic Impacts
The construction of electric highways is part of Sweden’s broader efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. Transportation accounts for a significant portion of Sweden’s carbon footprint, and electrification of the road network is seen as a crucial step toward decarbonizing the sector.
EVs running on electric highways would rely less on large, expensive batteries, reducing vehicle costs. Smaller batteries also reduce the environmental impact of battery production, which involves the extraction of rare metals like lithium and cobalt. Electric highways also have the potential to cut the need for a dense network of charging stations, reducing the infrastructure burden on cities and rural areas.
According to a study by the Swedish Transport Administration, electrifying 3,000 kilometers of road could reduce Sweden’s carbon emissions by 10 to 20 million tons by 2045. This reduction is equivalent to removing millions of fossil-fuel-powered cars from the road. In economic terms, the savings from reduced fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs for EVs could also benefit Sweden’s economy.
The cost of building electric highways is high, but experts argue that the long-term benefits outweigh the initial investment. A full-scale deployment of electric highways would significantly reduce the cost of charging infrastructure and enable the widespread adoption of EVs.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite the benefits, there are several challenges associated with electric highways. The main challenge is the high cost of construction. Building electric roads is expensive, and the Swedish government will need to secure funding from both public and private sectors to complete its ambitious plans.
Another challenge is ensuring that the technology is compatible with a wide range of vehicles. Different manufacturers use different charging standards, and there is no universal agreement on which standard should be used for electric highways. This could create compatibility issues that need to be addressed before full-scale deployment.
Critics of the project have also pointed out the potential safety risks associated with conductive charging systems. The presence of live electric rails on public roads could pose a danger to pedestrians and other vehicles if not properly managed.
Global Interest in Electric Highways
Sweden’s electric highway project has attracted global attention, with many countries expressing interest in adopting similar technologies. Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom have already launched pilot projects based on Sweden’s model.
In Germany, the Autobahn A5 near Frankfurt is undergoing trials of overhead catenary systems for trucks. The UK has also started testing inductive charging technology on select road segments as part of its efforts to decarbonize transport by 2030. These projects could serve as the foundation for more extensive networks of electric highways across Europe and beyond.
Countries outside Europe, including the United States and China, are closely monitoring Sweden’s progress. The U.S. Department of Transportation has explored the idea of electric highways in its national infrastructure plans, although no major projects have been launched yet. China, with its large EV market, is also exploring electric road technology as part of its efforts to reduce urban pollution.
The Future of Electric Roads
The development of electric highways is still in its early stages, but Sweden’s progress suggests that this technology could play a vital role in the future of transportation. With significant investment and collaboration between governments, automakers, and technology providers, electric highways could become a standard feature of road networks around the world.
Conclusion
Sweden’s electric highways mark a major step toward sustainable transportation. With the first permanent electric highway under construction, the world may soon see EVs traveling longer distances without stopping for a charge, paving the way for cleaner, more efficient road networks worldwide.
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