Can electric roads be a game changer for e-mobility and the grid?

Swedish scale-up Elonroad has developed a dynamic conductive charging solution for electric roads with the potential to transform e-mobility, while minimising strain on the grid.

Enlit on the Road visited Lund and spoke with Per Löfberg, project manager at Elonroad, to learn how this innovation aims to address the challenges associated with the rapid electrification of transport and where their technology is gaining the most traction.

Limiting grid strain through conductive charging

Löfberg stated clearly that while the goal is electrification of transport, meeting that goal can present some challenges.

“The problem is that with electrification, we’re gonna need an enormous amount of batteries that all need to be charged,” said Löfberg, adding that current solutions strain the electrical grid, require substantial charging infrastructure, and lead to heavier, more expensive vehicles.

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According to Löfberg, industry is beginning to recognise the limitations of large-scale static charging. “They’re starting to realise… we can’t just build mega chargers everywhere because the grids will not be able to handle it.”

Elonroad’s approach aims to mitigate these issues by allowing vehicles to recharge while driving, reducing battery size and cutting overall vehicle cost.

The design allows dynamic conductive charging at up to 350 kilowatts, which makes it suitable for heavy-duty transport and continuous operations like those in ports and logistic centres, where downtime for charging is costly.

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Ports as early adopters

Ports, with their space constraints, peak power demands, and rising electrification and decarbonisation targets, are showing particular interest in Elonroad's kit.

The company is currently also working on a project in Long Beach, California, installing 400 meters of electric road, along with “static” or opportunity charging zones—short sections where vehicles charge while idle.

These short rail segments allow port vehicles to charge while idle, like during loading, unloading, or while waiting in line, ensuring continuous operations. “You can keep everything running 24/7,” Löfberg says, highlighting how this system eliminates the need for plug-in charging that takes time.

Ready for public roads

Besides ports, Elonroad's system shows potential for a variety of use cases, including on public roads.

Trials are already underway in public spaces, including a planned 2-kilometre stretch on the A10 highway outside Paris.

“This started off in Sweden with support from the Swedish Transport Administration,” Löfberg explains, “but we’re seeing incredible interest from around the world.”

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In terms of cost, Löfberg acknowledges that dynamic road systems are major infrastructure investments, often requiring public funding or large-scale operators. “It costs about €100,000 per kilometre to install,” he says. However, he is quick to add that the total cost of ownership can be reduced significantly due to smaller batteries and less demand on grid infrastructure.

Löfberg stresses that Elonroad's mission aligns with meeting a broader energy transition challenge. “We’re trying to change a system that’s very, very established…

"Electricity is very different from diesel and petrol. So we have to do a lot of rethinking about where we charge, how we charge, how fast, what power levels, who charges at what time, etc."

Watch the full interview to learn more about Elonroad's innovation journey and the impact this solution could have on grids in Sweden and abroad.