IEA HEV Task 45: Electrified roads (E-roads)

Electric vehicles can be charged stationary as well as dynamically while driving on so-called "e-roads". From a systemic point of view, this technology can be an addition to stationary charging and is not competing. Internationally, the academic and political discussion in this field is progressing rapidly. Task 45 aims for a mutual knowledge exchange, a joint understanding of next steps and a contribution of the Austrian position into the international debate.

Short Description

Charging of e-vehicles is often used as synonymous with stationary charging where charging takes place during breaks or at the destination. However, the vehicle can also be charged while driving referred to as "dynamic charging". This requires appropriate infrastructure (e-roads) and vehicle equipment. Various systems are possible: inductive systems using magnetic coils, overhead line systems and conductive (cable-bound) systems. Dynamic charging offers systemic advantages: vehicle batteries can be smaller, making vehicles cheaper and reducing their weight, while stationary charging processes can be carried out faster or with less power. All three dynamic technologies are subject to Task 45. The vision is not a dynamic-charging-only corridor (such as "overhead-line corridor"), but a zero-emission corridor in which dynamic and stationary charging as complementary technologies contribute to the decarbonisation of road freight transport.

Due to the connectivity in the European transport market and the associated availability of vehicles, infrastructure and economies of scale, national isolated solutions are not promising. A comprehensive infrastructure also offers advantages in terms of usability, flexibility and resilience. This international perspective makes it important to participate in international formats to exchange knowledge and ideas on topics such as corridor management and standardization. IEA HEV Task 45 is predestined as a format for this due to the participation of the relevant European countries and the leading technological providers.

The overarching goal of the task is to develop a common understanding of key aspects of dynamic charging (operator models, revenue structures, technical standards, etc.). The aim of the Austrian participation is to ensure mutual learning and knowledge exchange with the rapidly developing international discourse and to support politics and administrations in Austria on their decision whether and how to establish dynamic charging system including the preparation of a potential roll-out.

From an Austrian perspective, the study on dynamic charging ("EnergyRoads") is essential as it forms the basis of Austria's participation in Task 45. A major goal is the continuation and expansion of the discussion with national stakeholders that began as part of the research and development of the study "EnergyRoads", the international integration as well as the generating and transferring knowledge. In this context, several policy papers/technical papers are to be developed and published by the task members. The national strategy is based on four pillars: communication with the Federal Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, committee work, stakeholder participation and generating and exchanging knowledge.

Participants

Germany, Israel, The Netherlands (currently in process of extension of participation), Norway, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States of America (Lead)

Contact Address

Project leader

Christoph Link
Austrian Energy Agency
Mariahilfer Straße 136, 1150 Vienna, Austria
christoph.link@energyagency.at

Project partner

Victoria Schopf
Austrian Energy Agency
Mariahilfer Straße 136, 1150 Vienna, Austria
victoria.schopf@energyagency.at

Michael Rohrer
Austrian Energy Agency
Mariahilfer Straße 136, 1150 Vienna, Austria
michael.rohrer@energyagency.at