Electric Road Systems for Smart Cities: A Scalable Infrastructure Framework for Dynamic Wireless Charging

TL;DR

This paper proposes a scalable Electric Road System architecture enabling dynamic wireless charging of EVs, integrating infrastructure, communication, and energy management to support smart city transportation.

Contribution

It introduces a modular, interoperable ERS framework with real-time V2I communication and evaluates its performance through co-simulation, addressing deployment and policy challenges.

Findings

Simulation shows improved battery lifespan due to shallow charging cycles.

Potential reduction in range anxiety for EV users.

Cost-benefit analysis for urban corridor retrofitting in Indian city.

Abstract

The transition to electric transportation is a key enabler for intelligent and sustainable cities; however, inadequate charging infrastructure remains a major barrier to large-scale electric vehicle (EV) adoption. This paper presents a scalable Electric Road System (ERS) architecture that enables Dynamic Wireless Charging (DWC) of EVs during motion. The proposed framework integrates inductive charging coils embedded in road pavement, real-time vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, and adaptive energy management coordinated with smart grid systems. Modular road segments with a standardized charging process are employed to ensure scalability across urban corridors and interoperability among different EV platforms. System performance is evaluated using a co-simulation framework combining MATLAB-based power analysis with traffic inputs generated in SUMO. Key performance metrics include charging efficiency, energy cost per kilometer, and battery lifecycle improvement. Simulation results indicate a potential reduction in range anxiety and an increase in battery lifespan due to frequent shallow charging cycles. The study further discusses deployment challenges, policy considerations, and energy distribution strategies aligned with climate-resilient urban development. A case study of a tier-1 Indian city is presented to analyze the cost-benefit trade-offs of retrofitting high-density urban corridors with ERS. The proposed framework provides a practical foundation for next-generation EV infrastructure planning in smart cities.