Sweden is redefining transportation with its electric roads, or e-roads. This system allows vehicles to charge their batteries while they drive and helps solve range anxiety, a major issue for electric vehicle (EV) users. By integrating charging infrastructure directly into highways, Sweden aims to reduce the need for frequent stops at charging stations.
This effort lowers dependence on fossil fuels and supports Sweden’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2045. The world’s first permanent electrified highway is being built on the E20 route. This technology could change how countries look at sustainable travel.1,2
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What are Electric Roads?
Sweden aims to create a smooth charging experience where EVs can recharge their batteries without stopping.
E-roads are highways that deliver electricity to moving vehicles. This takes place through physical contact, known as conductive technology, or by using wireless electromagnetic fields, called inductive technology.2,3
The idea comes from many years of research, beginning with tests on trolleybuses and trams. Today, e-roads can serve various vehicles, from personal cars to heavy trucks.
For many years, Sweden’s Transport Administration, Trafikverket, has tested different technologies, including overhead wires, conductive rails, and inductive coils, to find the best solution that can be used widely. The goal is to establish a standard system supporting city and long-distance travel while keeping infrastructure costs low.1,2
How Do E-Roads Work?
Conductive charging
Sweden’s e-roads primarily use two charging methods. The first is called conductive charging. This method requires the vehicle to make physical contact with an electrified rail or overhead wire. For example, the eRoadArlanda pilot project near Stockholm has a two-kilometer rail that charges trucks using a retractable arm. When a truck drives over the rail, the arm lowers and connects, providing up to 200 kW of power. This is enough to support long-distance freight transport. While this method is energy-efficient, it needs precise alignment and special lanes.3,4
Inductive charging
The second method is inductive charging. This system uses coils placed under the road surface to create electromagnetic fields. Vehicles with receiver coils can turn this energy into electricity, charging their batteries without wires. Sweden tested this technology on Gotland Island, where electric buses and trucks charged while driving along a 2.5-mile section. Although inductive charging reduces wear and tear, it provides less power and faces issues with energy loss and alignment.4,5
World's First Electric Road: Charging EVs While Driving
Video Credit: Interesting Engineering/YouTube.com
Why has Sweden Developed Electric Roads?
Sweden is focusing on e-roads to reduce emissions, upgrade infrastructure, and achieve climate goals with transport solutions that can grow and adapt in the future.
Tackling transportation emissions
Transportation accounts for 30% of Sweden’s carbon emissions, with road traffic being the largest contributor. To meet climate goals, Sweden needs to reduce emissions from long-haul freight and personal travel.
Traditional charging stations don’t work well because heavy trucks have limited battery life and long charging times. E-roads solve this problem by allowing vehicles to use smaller, lighter batteries, reducing waiting time. This makes EVs more practical for deliveries and everyday travel.1,6
A strategic infrastructure investment
Sweden's geography, with its long highways linking major cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö, is perfect for testing new ideas.
The E20 highway, an important route for freight, was picked as the first permanent electric road. By electrifying this 13-mile section, Sweden hopes to show that dynamic charging can work while also collecting data on traffic and energy needs. This project supports European Union goals for zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035 and helps position Sweden as a leader in sustainable transportation.3,5
What are the Benefits of E-Roads?
E-roads offer significant benefits in terms of sustainability, economic efficiency, and accessibility, making them a promising alternative to traditional transport systems.
Environmental and economic advantages
E-roads could cut heavy truck emissions by one-third in Sweden. Smaller batteries, up to 50–80% smaller, can lower manufacturing costs and use fewer resources. Dynamic charging means drivers won't worry about running out of power and will save money since electricity costs less than diesel.7,8
Infrastructure efficiency
Sweden is placing charging systems directly into its existing roads. This approach saves land and avoids the clutter of traditional charging stations. It also helps rural areas that have few charging options, promoting fair access to EVs. These e-roads could create jobs in green technology and attract international investment, boosting the economy.1,6
What are the Challenges and Limitations of E-Roads?
Building e-roads requires a significant upfront investment. The E20 project alone is estimated to cost approximately 30 million SEK per kilometer, plus ongoing expenses for maintenance and upgrades.
Inductive systems are less noticeable but need expensive underground installations and regular repairs because of weather damage. Conductive rails are more durable but wear down from friction and need special lanes, which makes traffic flow more complicated.9,4
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For e-roads to succeed, vehicles and infrastructure must adhere to universal standards. Sweden is working with Germany and France to align technologies, but they still have disagreements. For example, France prefers conductive rails for heavy trucks, while Sweden is exploring inductive options for wider adoption. If these systems cannot work together, cross-border transport could face problems.
Advancements in battery technology also pose a challenge; if EVs can go longer distances independently, e-roads might not be needed anymore.10
What are the Alternatives to E-Roads?
Static charging and battery swapping
Static fast-charging stations offer quicker refuels and require less infrastructure investment. Battery-swapping stations replace depleted packs in minutes, eliminating charging waits. However, both solutions still depend on large batteries and frequent stops, which e-roads aim to avoid.6,7
Hydrogen fuel cells
Hydrogen-powered vehicles emit only water and offer ranges comparable to gasoline cars. Sweden already operates hydrogen buses in Trelleborg, but production costs remain high and infrastructure is sparse. While hydrogen is suitable for long-haul transport, e-roads provide a more immediate solution for mixed traffic.11
What Does the Future Hold for E-Roads?
Sweden plans to expand its e-road network to 3,000 kilometers by 2045, focusing on major highways and urban corridors. There is increasing international interest, with countries like the United States and India also investing in the development of electric roads. However, widespread adoption hinges on cost reductions. Researchers suggest prioritizing high-traffic routes to maximize return on investment, as electrifying 25% of roads could suffice for most journeys.2,7
Sweden’s e-roads are a significant step toward making transportation cleaner. Although there are challenges, such as costs and the need for standard rules, the benefits could be substantial, including lower emissions, economic growth, and improved mobility.
As countries work toward achieving their climate goals, Sweden’s experiments offer valuable lessons on balancing ambition and feasibility. Whether e-roads become widely adopted or serve as a temporary solution, they emphasize the need to rethink infrastructure for a more sustainable future.
References and Further Reading
- Harrison, J. (2025). Sweden’s Groundbreaking Electric Road: A Leap Toward Sustainable Transportation. Engineerine.com. https://engineerine.com/swedens-groundbreaking-electric-road-a-leap-toward-sustainable-transportation/
- Sweden is building the world's first permanent electrified road for EVs to charge while driving. euronews. https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/05/09/sweden-is-building-the-worlds-first-permanent-electrified-road-for-evs-to-charge-while-dri
- Sweden’s e-highway revolution: the world’s first dynamic charging roadway in Stockholm. Techarenan News. https://www.techarenan.news/2024/04/30/sweden-s-e-highway-revolution-the-world-s-first-dynamic-charging-roadway-in-stockholm/
- Pei, Y., Chen, F., Ma, T., & Gu, G. (2024). A comparative review study on the electrified road structures: Performances, sustainability, and prospects. Structures, 62, 106185. DOI:10.1016/j.istruc.2024.106185. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352012424003370
- Sweden will build the world's first EV charging road. (2023). TopGear. https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/sweden-will-build-worlds-first-ev-charging-road
- Considering Greener Roadways: The Sweden Electric Road. Environment Co. https://environment.co/sweden-electric-road/
- Börjesson, M., Johansson, M., & Kågeson, P. (2021). The economics of electric roads. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 125, 102990. DOI:10.1016/j.trc.2021.102990. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0968090X21000255
- Evolution Road – the Next Generation Electric Roads. News - Smart City Sweden. https://smartcitysweden.com/best-practice/412/evolution-road-the-next-generation-electric-road/
- Postponed – that's why the cost of Sweden's first permanent electric road skyrocketed. Ny Teknik. https://www.nyteknik.se/fordon/skjuts-upp-darfor-skenade-kostnaden-for-sveriges-forsta-permanenta-elvag/4189641
- CHOOSING ERS TECHNOLOGY FOR EUROPE. (2024). Webarchive.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20240310135018/https://electric-road-systems.eu/e-r-systems-wAssets/docs/publications/CollERS-Choosing-ERS-Technology-for-Europe.pdf
- Sweden Expands Hydrogen Transport to Cut Emissions and Reach 2045 Goal. Smiley Movement. https://smileymovement.org/news/sweden-hydrogen-buses
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