Additional Final Draft Reader Response

Advanced infrastructure systems that transfer electricity from the road to vehicles, enabling dynamic charging while in motion can also be referred to as electric roads (Kumar & Yadav, 2023). According to the same authors, this innovative technology addresses significant challenges faced by electric vehicles (EVs), such as limited battery range and prolonged charging times. Conductive, inductive, and overhead catenary are the three main types of electric road systems (ERS). Conductive systems rely on physical contact with electrified tracks embedded in the road, exemplified by Sweden's eRoadArlanda, which uses a movable arm to connect vehicles to an electrified rail (European Road Transport Research Advisory Council, 2020). Inductive system uses electromagnetic fields to charge vehicles wirelessly by using coils buried beneath the road. One example of this would be Sweden’s SmartRoad Gotland (Schwirzke et al., 2022). Overhead catenary systems, like Germany's eHighway project, use overhead wires to charge trucks via a pantograph (Kumar & Yadav, 2023).

Electric roads offer many advantages, such as dynamic charging that reduces reliance on stationary chargers and optimised energy efficiency (European Road Transport Research Advisory Council, 2020). However, challenges such as high installation costs, maintenance requirements, and the standardisation needs hinder widespread adoption. Despite these obstacles, ERS could contribute to sustainable transportation by supporting EV efficiency and reducing emissions, although its feasibility remains subject to various challenges. (Kumar & Yadav, 2023).

ERS remains a promising solution for sustainable transportation. However, while ERS reduces battery dependency and emissions, high costs and standardization challenges limit widespread adoption. 

 One of the most pressing challenges is the high cost associated with developing and maintaining ERS infrastructure. The high cost of implementing ERS is a major barrier to its widespread adoption.

One of the primary challenges is the high cost associated with developing and maintaining ERS. The high costs of implementation make widespread adoption difficult. According to Kumar & Yadav (2023), developing ERS infrastructure requires significant investments in road modifications, electrical components, and maintenance, making it financially demanding for governments and private sectors to commence operations. These high costs are an obstacle to large-scale deployment, as funding and economic feasibility must be carefully considered before implementation. Additionally, ongoing maintenance expenses further increase the financial burden, limiting the expansion of ERS networks (Börjesson, 2021). As a result, despite the potential benefits of ERS, the European Road Transport Research Advisory Council (2020) argue that the substantial costs associated with their installation and upkeep make widespread implementation difficult, slowing the progress toward a more sustainable transportation system 

In addition to financial constraints, standardization challenges hinder the integration of ERS across different EV models and regions. According to the European Road Transport Research Advisory Council (2020), the absence of universal standards for ERS technology, including charging mechanisms, power levels, and communication protocols, creates compatibility issues between infrastructure and various EV manufacturers. Börjesson (2021) states that without standardized systems, different regions and automakers may develop incompatible ERS technologies, making it difficult for vehicles to use electrified roads outside specific areas. This lack of uniformity slows adoption and increases costs for manufacturers and policymakers who must navigate multiple technical requirements. As a result, the lack of ERS standardization restricts seamless integration, limiting its potential as a widespread solution for sustainable transportation (Shoman, 2022).

While standardization challenges hinder the widespread adoption of ERS, dynamic charging offers a compelling advantage by reducing range anxiety and enabling the use of smaller, lighter batteries. Unlike traditional EV charging methods, dynamic charging allows vehicles to recharge while in motion, minimizing the need for frequent stops and reducing dependency on large battery capacities (Shoman, 2022). Coban et al. (2022) states that this continuous energy supply can lead to more efficient EV designs, lowering vehicle weight and cost. As a result, even if standardization remains a challenge, the benefits of dynamic charging could drive ERS adoption despite existing compatibility concerns. However, without standardized ERS infrastructure, the effectiveness of dynamic charging remains limited, as vehicles may not be universally compatible with different charging systems across regions. Thus, addressing standardization issues is crucial for maximizing the benefits of dynamic charging and ensuring a seamless transition to electric road technology (Schwirzke et al., 2022). 

Given these considerations, it is evident that ERS holds immense potential to transform transportation by reducing dependency on stationary chargers and lowering emissions. By addressing these concerns, ERS can better position itself as a viable and scalable solution for the future of transportation. As highlighted, the substantial financial investment required for infrastructure development and ongoing maintenance remains a considerable barrier to large-scale deployment (Kumar & Yadav, 2023). Additionally, the lack of universal standards complicates the integration of ERS across various electric vehicle models and regions, further slowing adoption (European Road Transport Research Advisory Council, 2020). However, the dynamic charging capabilities of ERS provides a promising solution to mitigate range anxiety and enhances EV efficiency, making the technology more attractive even in the face of these challenges (Shoman, 2022). Ultimately, resolving these issues, particularly the standardization of ERS technologies, will be crucial in unlocking the maximum potential of electric roads as a sustainable and efficient solution for the future of transportation.

References

Börjesson, M. (2021). The economics of electric roads. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349411632_The_economics_of_electric_roads

Coban, H. H., Rehman, A., & Mohamed, A. (2022). Analyzing the societal cost of electric roads compared to batteries. Energies, 15(5), 1925. https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/5/1925

European Road Transport Research Advisory Council. (2020). Electric road systems: A solution for more sustainable road freight transport. https://www.ertrac.org

Kumar, R., & Yadav, S. (2023). Electric road systems: Recent advancements, challenges, and future trends. Energy Reports, 9, 197–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.01.022

Schwirzke, M., Albrecht, F., & Jepsen, T. (2022). The evolution of inductive electric roads: A technological perspective. Journal of Transportation Technology, 13(4), 115-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrantech.2022.03.008

Shoman, W. (2022). Benefits of an electric road system for battery electric vehicles. World Electric Vehicle Journal, 13(11), 197. https://www.mdpi.com/2032-6653/13/11/197