Smart Solar-Powered Charging Rails for Next-Generation Heavy-Duty Electric Mobility

This collaboration between the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) and the University of Texas at San Antonio, explores thin-film PV embedded directly into the pavement, powering charging rails for dynamic charging of electric vehicles

By combining Electric Road Systems (eRoad) with breakthroughs in flexible thin-film photovoltaics, the project challenges the conventional logic of energy supply for the transport sector. 

The electrification of the transport sector requires more than just batteries; it demands an infrastructure capable of delivering power without overloading existing grids. Electric roads (eRoads) have long been identified as a key component in reducing battery sizes and extending the range of heavy vehicles. 

Simultaneously, advancements in thin-film solar technology have reached a point where panels are flexible and robust enough to be integrated into environments previously deemed impossible. By utilizing the road’s surface and its immediate right-of-way, we can harvest energy exactly where it is consumed. 

The Project 

The project investigates how innovative charging rails for conductive charging in motion can be integrated with solar energy. The focus lies on validating the system’s durability and efficiency by breaking new ground in three areas: 

• Structural Resilience: Using accelerated pavement testing (APT), the study analyzes how the integrated rails and their components withstand mechanical stress from high traffic load over time. 
   
• Climatic Performance: By comparing data from contrasting climates—the cold winters of Sweden and the intense heat of Texas—the project quantifies the system's ability to act as a reliable energy source under extreme conditions. 
   
• System Economics and Environmental Benefit: The study delivers in-depth analyses of energy savings, environmental conservation, and the economic advantages of using locally harvested solar energy as a supplement or replacement for traditional grid connections. 

This collaboration between Swedish and American experts bridges the gap between material science and road infrastructure. The results will provide policymakers and road authorities with a clear roadmap for how the next generation of electric roads can be designed for both environmental and economic sustainability. 

Key Deliverables 

• Durability Assessment: A detailed technical evaluation of the integrated system’s lifespan under high traffic volumes. 
   
• Feasibility Study: Quantification of the energy potential of integrated thin-film PVs across different climatic zones. 
   
• Impact Report: An economic and environmental analysis of environmental conservation for future large-scale implementations. 

This collaboration is the result of a joint effort led by Future Mobility, co-funded by Vinnova and the Swedish Energy Agency. The initiative is designed to foster partnerships and strengthen the research and innovation (R&I) network between Sweden and the United States to speed up the development of sustainable mobility.