"Understanding the Future of Sustainable Energy"

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Future Grid of 2060

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Direct electric propulsion allows for vehicles to operate electrically without the burden of batteries by directly connecting vehicles with the grid. Connecting vehicles to the electrical grid is technically feasible providing flexibility in fuel source and ability to integrate renewable or low carbon transportation.  Electrical motors are generally 90% plus efficient, energy dense and can generate very large torque, allowing for effective transportation.  Direct electric transportation is the most environmentally sensitive solution for public transportation. Electric transportation can serve to power the transportation sector from any electrical power. Stationary electric power can be generated efficiently with very low pollutant emissions.  In addition, by using electricity the source of energy can be very flexible and include renewable.

Direct electric propulsion is largely used  for trains and buses in Europe and should be aggressively considered in the U.S.  Direct electric propulsion is an ideal public transportation alternative for dedicated routes (i.e. trains and dedicated bus lanes). 

Ideally direct electric transportation could be used for personal transportation (in addition to direct electric transportation for busses and trains). It could be possible to set-up an infrastructure of electrified roads in major U.S. routes.  The concept is that electric vehicles would operate on small batteries (<30 mile range) in small roads, driveways and parking lots and  connect to electrified rails in major roads, providing electric propulsion and the ability to recharge the small battery on the go.  Typically commute on small roads is short with longer distances traveled on major routes.  The concept resolves the challenge battery electric range and limits electric road infrastructure to major routes.  The major challenge that would have to be overcome for direct electric automobiles are
(1) Safety- how do you ensure that people will not get electrocuted and how do you protect the electrical infrastructure against rain (2) Connection-  our current road infrastructure consists of multiple lanes.  How do you connect and disconnect from the road and enable lane changing? (3)  Rates - how do you charge for the electrical power utilized.

Direct electric transportation for personal transportation would be ideal, but will not become a reality until the challenges described above are met.  With some research and development perhaps electrified roads with vehicle connections could become a reality (see below for one concept).     

Conceptual view of raised and lowered contacting probe for direct electric personal vehicles.

(Tim Brown et. al., "Grid Connected Vehicles Can Improve Road Transportation Sustainability")