On-the-go charging system for heavy electric vehicles in ports and other closed loop applications

Informazioni relative al progetto

Elonroad

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 190141800

DOI

10.3030/190141800

Progetto chiuso

Data della firma CE 17 Luglio 2023

Data di avvio 1 Agosto 2023

Data di completamento 31 Luglio 2025

Finanziato da

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Costo totale

€ 3 594 975,00

Contributo UE

€ 2 500 000,00

Coordinato da

ELONROAD AB
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Elonroad (On-the-go charging system for heavy electric vehicles in ports and other closed loop applications)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-08-01 al 2025-07-31

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

Ports operate under constant pressure to deliver on time, with heavy machinery running almost without pause. The transition from diesel to electric is essential for reducing emissions, but charging remains one of the main obstacles since it slows down operations and requires vehicles to stop. Elonroad addresses this challenge by making charging automatic, seamless, and integrated into daily operations. Vehicles can charge when they are parked, but also while they move along predictable routes in closed-loop environments such as ports. This approach keeps fleets in operation, reduces the size and cost of batteries, and cuts emissions without adding downtime.
Around thirty percent of CO2 emissions from the shipping industry originate in ports, primarily from diesel-powered equipment. At the same time, regulatory pressure for electrification is increasing, while available grid capacity and charging infrastructure remain insufficient. Elonroad’s charging system responds to this situation with a dual solution. Static charging stations provide safe and high-power charging when vehicles are idle, and dynamic conductive rails enable charging during movement along closed-loop routes. By combining the two, fleet operators can reduce battery sizes, lower capital expenditure, avoid adding extra vehicles to compensate for downtime, and at the same time flatten peaks in electricity demand. The overall objective of this EIC Accelerator project has been to finalize the necessary technical development, demonstrate both static and dynamic solutions in operational environments, and prepare for industrial scale-up and commercial deployment.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

Over the course of the project, Elonroad has moved from promising prototypes to fully industrialized and deployed solutions. This progress has been possible thanks to the funding and support provided by the EIC Accelerator, which enabled the company to take technological and commercial risks that otherwise would not have been feasible for an SME.
During the project period, the static charging system was fully developed, certified and launched as a commercial product. Installations have already been delivered to customers, including projects in Oslo and Malta. Two versions of the power stations were created, one designed for direct high-voltage grid connection and another adapted for more common industrial environments. In parallel, a new submerged generation of the electric road system was designed, produced and tested. Installations were completed in Sweden and Belgium, including a 200-metre track at Kalmar’s R&D yard where a Reachstacker was successfully integrated and operated on dynamic charging. A further contract for delivery to a major US port has also been secured.
The project has also enabled Elonroad to establish its first dedicated manufacturing facility near its headquarters. This factory has proven its capacity through multiple production runs and now provides the company with a reliable base for industrialization. At the same time, strong partnerships with vehicle OEMs and port operators have been secured, laying the foundation for large-scale deployment beyond the project.
These achievements would not have been possible without EIC support. The funding provided the resources to bridge the critical gap between early-stage innovation and market readiness, giving Elonroad the confidence and capacity to industrialize, certify, and validate its technology in collaboration with leading partners. The project has therefore not only advanced the technology itself but has also transformed the company’s market position, making it a credible supplier for global port electrification.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

The charging solutions developed in this project represent a significant step beyond what is currently available on the market. By enabling charging both while parked and while moving, vehicles can operate continuously without interruption. This eliminates the need for additional vehicles to cover charging time, which can reduce fleet size by up to thirty percent. It also creates a more stable energy profile, since vehicles are regularly topped up instead of relying on fast charging during peak demand periods.
Although the full operational and business impact will be validated in upcoming pilot projects, the technical results achieved so far strongly indicate that the expected benefits in terms of lower total cost of ownership, improved productivity, and reduced emissions are within reach. The project has also shown that conductive charging can be industrialized and certified for deployment in heavy-duty environments, which sets it apart from most alternative solutions still in early research or pilot phases.
These advances were made possible because the EIC Accelerator allowed Elonroad to invest in both technology and manufacturing at the same time. Without this support, progress would have been slower, fragmented, and limited to small-scale trials. Thanks to EIC funding, Elonroad has been able to demonstrate results that are years ahead of what could otherwise have been achieved, thereby strengthening Europe’s leadership in innovative charging technologies.

View of installed ERS

Elonroad’s electric road segments factory seen from the inside.

View of installed ERS

The team after installation of 800m ERS in Belgium

Elonroad’s electric road segments factory seen from the outside.

Factory mechanic working on the assembling of an electric road segment.