After Sweden and Germany, France could in turn test the electric highway, which allows electric trucks to be recharged while driving. A two-kilometre section could thus see the light of day in Alsace before 2026.
Many innovations promise to improve french highways in the years to come. Between the motorway rest areas dedicated to electric cars and the charging stations every 60 km, the motorways will gradually become increasingly suitable for electric vehicles. In a few years, electric highways could even see the light of day.
Sweden and Germany have already tested sections of electric highways that charge trucks while driving via catenaries. In Germany, for example, electrified sections of 2.7 km and 300 m can recharge 15% of the battery heavy weights.
A section of electric highway would be installed in Alsace before 2026
In France, the Ministry of Transport has already launched calls for projects to test the electric highway for trucks. A public-private consortium would be set up to test the same system as in Germany, i.e. charging electric trucks using catenaries and pantographs on portions of the highway.
Like trams or electric trains, electric trucks will only have to drive under the catenaries and deploy their pantograph to recharge their batteries. The driver will therefore have to be very careful to keep his trajectory. In the event of a deviation, a safety system will automatically fold up the truck’s pantograph.
A first section of electric highway could be installed on a Haut-Rhin road axis in the south of Alsace at the end of 2025. Bpifrance would participate financially and other automotive industry players such as Scania, Siemens and Scania could also take part in the project. Electrified highways have the advantage of being more efficient for charging heavy goods vehicles. Trucks can recharge faster than with charging stations. They can recharge in 45 minutes at 640 kilowatt-hours.
In addition, Gilles Baustert who is the director of marketing, communication and public affairs of Scania France explained that: « if we electrify only 3% of the road network most used by trucks, we decarbonize up to 60%. No need to electrify the whole network ».
Source : The echoes
