In the United States, the state of Indiana, in partnership with Purdue University, will soon begin testing the viability of “Magment,” a substrate composed of cement of magnetized particles that can charge electric vehicles in motion.
Like it or not, the page of petrol or diesel vehicles is giving way to electric vehicles that, as we now know, emit less CO2 if we consider the whole production chain.
However, manufacturers of electric vehicles, which will soon be cheaper to produce than thermal vehicles, still have work to do to convince. However, if the latest models offer a satisfactory autonomy of a few hundred kilometers, the charging time is always an issue. Indeed, when the use of these vehicles becomes more democratic, it is hard to imagine drivers waiting half an hour at the terminals to charge their cars.
Still, the industry is moving forward again. In recent years, several initiatives have been developed to promote the charging of electric vehicles. Companies like StoreDot are mainly looking at ultra-fast rechargeable batteries, while certain countries, such as South Korea, the United States or the United Kingdom, are testing the feasibility of the induction path concept.
A cement that can charge cars
In another effort, the German company Magment, in collaboration with a team of researchers from Purdue University and the state of Indiana, will soon test the viability of a small stretch of “magnetized road.”
The development has different phases. The first will consist of testing the substrate in the lab. The latter is then tested outside for the first time on a road section of 400 meters. If the operation is successful, the road section will be tested with electric trucks that require at least 2000 kilowatts. Finally, the final phase of testing will consist of building another larger stretch of road, this time on public roads.
Magment has not yet released technical details of its product, but its website shows that sections of the road are said to be made from cement and recycled magnetic particles called ferrite. The product is also said to offer a high degree of conductivity, according to the company. It would also withstand all weather conditions and cost no more than standard road building materials.
