I remember how incredible this idea sounded to me, particularly as a kid growing in the snowy winters of Western New York.
Heated driveways.
No shovels needed to get your car on the road, to play basketball in the driveway, or to get the garbage cans to the curb.
It seemed masterful to me. Instead of removing the snow, simply melt it, no matter the temperature. It was a way to take the sun and place it underneath the driveway. Sure, it was costly to do, but the mere idea of melting snow by heating the pavement was sheer brilliance to me.
Now, in 2021, the creative factor jumps exponentially with a possible future innovation: roads that charge electric vehicles.
A recent New York Times story adds to the potential transformation of vehicles on US roadways.
According to Hannon (2021), a technology known as inductive charging may be an important factor in overcoming “range anxiety,” the worry that vehicle owners have over finding recharging stations when traveling long distances. Instead of taking your car to a station to recharge, let the process come to you…simply by driving your car on the highway.
If cars can melt snow, why couldn’t they power your electric car?
A partnership between the Indiana Department of Transportation and Purdue University may result in the first contactless and wireless charging segment within the pavement of a highway. Michigan is also exploring the same initiative.
The idea is a fine example of how “reversal” can generate new innovations. Through reversal, new ideas can blossom. Consider, for instance, how Volkswagen put the trunk in the front of a Beetle.
In the future, the reversal may not only represent a big time-saver, but also eliminate the notion of range anxiety altogether. Instead of bringing the car to a station, allow the power to come to the car.
Heated driveways? Leave the shovel in the garage.
Highway-powering cars? Leave the charging to the road.
Reference:
Hannon, K. (2021, November 29). Could roads recharge electric cars? The technology may be close. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/29/technology/electric-cars-magnetic-roads.html