I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to afford an electric car, but I would love one, so the idea of being able to charge the EV from the road itself is incredibly exciting.
“Wireless power transfer is based on the same underlying physics used to send messages through radio waves to spacecraft in deep space, things like Voyager,” the researcher said in a statement. “Except now we are sending much more energy across much shorter distances, to moving vehicles.”
https://futurism.com/roadway-charges-electric-cars-while-driving?mc_cid=93c2f6287b&mc_eid=bbf5c06f50
The technology is still some way off, and even when it’s finished it will take time to re-engineer our roads and sort out a way for users to pay* for the electricity their cars consumer, but the idea is so elegant I hope it happens in my lifetime.
cheers
Meeks
*I’m no expert, but it occurs to me that Blockchain would make it possible to charge the right amount to the right person without fear of the transaction being hacked or otherwise misused. Time will tell.
Meeka's Mind 
May 17th, 2021 at 12:15 am
That would be cool! My husband and I talked about buying an electric vehicle when we next need a car, which could be in a decade at this rate, but charging it up is an issue out here in the boonies. We just don’t have the charging stations. I used to have a Prius hybrid and that was kind of nice because it charged it’s own battery, but it couldn’t make it up the mountain (I needed 4-wheel drive). I agree with you that retrofitting the roads is probably the biggest challenge. Eventually we’ll all be in EV, but not for a while I imagine.
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May 17th, 2021 at 9:42 pm
Yeah, we think computers went mainstream very quickly, but really it’s taken from the early 80’s until now. Would be nice if the charging roads could become a reality in under 30 years, but they definitely will come.
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May 16th, 2021 at 2:14 pm
Most hybrids already do this, but what I’m waiting for is ‘One Charger To Rule Them All 😀 … everything electrical, all compatible with one charger!
… right now it’s like the early days of computer cables – every company had their own ‘exclusive’ design … nowadays it’s all matching USB’s …except for Apple. If I didn’t need the iOS software to run my hearing aid bluetooth software properly I would’ve ditched the annoying thing years ago!. 😀
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May 16th, 2021 at 2:53 pm
Yes, the lack of standardisation is a huge issue. There doesn’t seem to be any ‘design’ in it; devices ‘become’ standard and then everyone follows suit, or they don’t.
I want one Charger too. I also want one PASSWORD that sticks to me like glue, can’t be hacked and makes logging in easy. -sigh-
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May 16th, 2021 at 7:29 pm
Oh, you dreamer you. 😀
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May 17th, 2021 at 9:49 pm
I know…I know. Where’s that damn windmill?
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May 15th, 2021 at 2:44 pm
It’s like futuristic Flintstone cars!
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May 15th, 2021 at 10:11 pm
-grin- yes, but with tyres.
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May 15th, 2021 at 1:43 am
WE looked into electric cars when we needed to replace our petrol a couple of years ago. wasn’t feasible at the time, not least because our drive is deemed too narrow for a dropped curb (not too short, too narrow; go figure) so there’d be no sensible way to charge it.
I was discussing EVs with our neighbours, both of whom work for the NHS in the ambulance servicing. The local NHS are about to replace all their fleet with EVs, but what I hadn’t realised is that because the batteries and engines are DC rather than ACDC there’s a serious and significant risk of instant death if a cable detaches / becomes unsheathed.
So all the staff have to work in pairs and have new non-conductive tools for everything. If there’s an EV involved in an accident, the paramedics, fire brigade etc aren’t supposed to try and pull someone from the car until it’s been checked over for electrocution risk.
Made me wonder why we are going down the EV route, rather than hydrogen. I can only assume it’s related to the extra kit that’s needed for an EV (I’m such a cynic!) . It was really rather disheartening to hear him explain just how little can be worked on safely.
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May 15th, 2021 at 9:14 am
Ugh, I had no idea the EV battery could be so powerful, or dangerous, but I suppose it makes sense given that it’s ‘pushing’ a couple of tons of vehicle. Let’s not forget though, that there’s also a risk involved in the internal combustion engine. Petrol can explode in the right/wrong circumstances. That’s always been a secret fear of mine.
Hydrogen is probably the way we’ll go long term, but from what little I’ve read, I think it has to be kept under quite a bit of pressure, hence another potential risk of explosion.
Let’s hope we perfect these new technologies without having to learn the hard way. 😦
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May 15th, 2021 at 6:17 pm
I’ve just ordered an aquaflame (keep your eyes peeled for the over excited blog when it arrives!!) https://www.aquaflamesystems.com/
This will generate hydrogen gas safely , in just the amount needed, using water and a small amount of MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone). My understanding is that it’s less volatile than the other gas options, and burns more cleanly. The great advantage for me will be that, as my workshop is in the spare bedroom on the first floor, I’ll not have any canisters of propane hanging about , degrading or risking leaking or explosion. I had assumed hydrogen was more dangerous til I did some research. The thing about the EV compared to traditional cars is that with a traditional car, you don’t have to drain the tank to change a lightbulb or a fuse. Kev says you should isolate / remove the battery to do anything with an EV, hence having to change all his tools to non conductive. It was an eye opener when I mentioned the new torch to him, and he explained all about the EVs
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May 15th, 2021 at 10:01 pm
You might be on to something about the extra kit. It’s also worth noting that the power to operate an EV is controlled by a central source. It’s easier to document who just used 20 kilowatts than it is to keep tabs on who bought 20 gallons of gas. Since we live in an information economy this is valuable information. It can also be harnessed by lovely authoritarian government. Hydrogen? God forbid. If you can generate it yourself how does it help the multinationals? Kill it now!
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May 15th, 2021 at 10:09 pm
Mmm…food for thought there DB. I wonder if this is going to turn into another one of those ‘this or that’ contests. Not sure which one I’m cheering for. 🙂
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May 15th, 2021 at 10:22 pm
In reality there have to be more than two options, but I am not a sciencist!
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May 16th, 2021 at 3:04 pm
I’m all in favour of diversity, but in our capital led world, diversity is always the first casualty. That’s one reason I’m hanging on to my solar panels for dear life. They give me the illusion of control, if nothing else, and they do cut down on my power bills. If I had the money I’d invest in a small wind turbine too. Not going to happen but I like to dream. 🙂
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May 16th, 2021 at 10:29 pm
Self-sufficiency is where it’s at.
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May 17th, 2021 at 9:46 pm
This pandemic has certainly give self-sufficiency a big boost. I’ve always had fruit trees and a few herbs but now I’m growing spinach and bok choy and snow peas, amongst other things. Oh and pumpkins. It feels great eating my own produce. 🙂
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May 17th, 2021 at 10:23 pm
Also very tasty!
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May 18th, 2021 at 10:15 am
It is! Really does taste different to shop-bought.
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May 15th, 2021 at 10:07 pm
OMG….!!!! It is a super GADGET! I am literally waiting with baited breath to see how it goes, the Aquaflame that is. I had no idea hydrogen had become so commercialised. Will have to rethink a lot of my tech. 😀 Thank you!
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May 16th, 2021 at 12:19 am
I am beyond excited about it. And because we effectively ‘grow our own electric’ with a few PV cells on the roof, it’s super practical and even better environmentally. Once I get it installed I’m going to do a whole load of testing with it.
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May 16th, 2021 at 2:59 pm
And pics. Lots of pics. 🙂
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May 16th, 2021 at 5:39 pm
I have a new tripod, and I’m not afraid to use it.
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May 17th, 2021 at 9:49 pm
-giggles- a woman to be feared. :p
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May 14th, 2021 at 10:30 pm
Yep. Tesla was working on this 120 years ago.
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May 15th, 2021 at 9:18 am
It’s kind of interesting to think what our world would be like now if we’d gone electric instead of oil/petrol. Probably a lot cleaner.
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May 15th, 2021 at 10:14 am
Maybe, maybe not. Electricity comes from somewhere.
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May 15th, 2021 at 10:14 pm
My roof. 🙂 If I ever manage to get an electric car or even a hybrid, I’ll be charging it from my roof panels.
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May 15th, 2021 at 10:28 pm
A good way to do it. Here in the upper Midwest we used to get a lot of power from hydrogen. The dams are still there, but they took out the turbines, and replaced them with coal at some point. Ok? Nuclear is also a great option for larger plants.
Did I mention that my local power plant has two former state senators on the board, one from each party? 🤔
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May 16th, 2021 at 3:00 pm
Wait…you had hydro and they took it away? For coal? That’s…insane. No it’s worse, it’s criminal. 😦
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May 16th, 2021 at 10:28 pm
Now they’re moving back to more solar and wind, but zero discussion of using the hydro infrastructure that’s already there. Huh?
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May 17th, 2021 at 9:47 pm
I swear, that’s insane. I mean, I’m all for solar and wind, but hydro is right there. -shakes head-
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May 17th, 2021 at 10:24 pm
Same here.
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May 15th, 2021 at 2:45 pm
120 years ago, huh?
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May 15th, 2021 at 9:40 pm
Yep.
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May 15th, 2021 at 10:11 pm
It’s kind of awe inspiring to think that Tesla came up with some of this stuff long before there were computers to help, or much of anything but sliderules. Actually did they even had sliderules back then??
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May 14th, 2021 at 4:50 pm
A real life Scale Electrix set.
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May 14th, 2021 at 9:30 pm
-grin- yes! And more comfortable too 😉
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May 14th, 2021 at 4:21 pm
I had a Prius car for 10 years- it charged itself as I drove- could get from Adel to Melbs on one tank of petrol easy. We CAN change the way we power our cars (& cities… & homes…) 🙏🏼
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May 14th, 2021 at 9:32 pm
Ah, it was a hybrid then? I think the battery charges while the car is in petrol mode or something. Just thinking about one makes me drool. -sigh-
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May 14th, 2021 at 3:13 pm
The idea sounds wonderful in its conception…but would I want that much intrusion in my life because it seems that’s what we would get…A step too far for me 🙂
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May 14th, 2021 at 9:33 pm
Intrusion? Not sure I follow. Do you mean because you wouldn’t be in control of when the devices charge?
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May 15th, 2021 at 12:43 pm
No..not particularly I am all in favour of progress it just seems many aspects of our lives could be out of our hands…That’s what worries me about automation 🙂
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May 15th, 2021 at 10:12 pm
Aaaah. Yes, that I definitely agree with. 😦
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May 14th, 2021 at 2:51 pm
Hi Meeks, thanks for this interesting post. I shall now have to look up Blockchain. I know I’ve read about it, but I have forgotten.
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May 14th, 2021 at 9:34 pm
I confess I have no real idea what blockchain /is/ other than that it somehow makes transactions unhackable.
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May 14th, 2021 at 12:05 pm
Very cool idea & the physics are totally sound – Michael Faraday first demonstrated the principle 190 years ago! And then Nikolai Tesla tried to use it to transmit power through the air, accidentally inventing radio on the way… I suspect such a system in the road might also act as a brake, and I’m not sure I’d want to leave my phone on the floor of the car during a ‘charging lane’ drive (owing to the induced current in ANY conductive material). But hey… details… I am sure all will have been well thought through by the Cornell guys.
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May 14th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
lol – maybe by then we could have wireless charging for phones as well…and vacuum cleaners and coffee pots and hair dryers…. My god, can you imagine a life without all those cords?
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May 16th, 2021 at 2:08 pm
There are already wireless phone chargers. 😀
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May 16th, 2021 at 2:54 pm
lol – we still live in the spaghetti world of cables, cables and more cables!
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