Key to the electric highway: Elonroad joins US–Swedish research study on conductive electric road systems (ERS)

Elonroad, a Swedish technology company specializing in conductive electric road systems, is joining a new US–Swedish research study exploring the potential of in-motion conductive charging along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the United States. The project, carried out within the Future Mobility program funded by Vinnova, begins in November 2025 and aims to fill a crucial research gap by providing data and insights to help American decision-makers evaluate conductive Electric Road Systems (ERS) as a scalable solution for reducing transport emissions.

The study is led by Jakob Rogstadius through the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) and brings together partners from both sides of the Atlantic. RISE coordinates the project and adapts its advanced simulation tool MOSTACHI to U.S. conditions to analyze traffic patterns, energy use, and economic impact. Elonroad contributes technological expertise and experience from past and current projects, providing real-world data on how conductive ERS performs in different environments.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission serves as the end-user partner. The commission provides infrastructure, traffic data and helps share results through a network of U.S. transport agencies. Michael Baker International (MBI), PA Turnpike’s General Consulting Engineer, leads operational assessments and contributes additional funding to ensure that the research meets the needs of road operators and policymakers.

“You could say we’re helping the U.S. find its key to the electric highway,” says Per Löfberg, Senior Project Manager at Elonroad. “By sharing our experience with conductive ERS, we aim to contribute to a joint effort with the US to explore how electric road technology can support future mobility.”

About the Research Project

Road transport accounts for 23 % of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and segments such as long-haul freight and intercity travel still face major barriers to electrification due to high battery and infrastructure costs. Electric Road Systems (ERS) supply energy to vehicles while driving, which can significantly reduce battery size, cost, and pressure on the power grid.

While most U.S. research has focused on inductive charging, this project will for the first time assess conductive-rail charging, the technology behind Elonroad’s solution. Conductive ERS enables high-power, efficient, and cost-effective energy transfer and supports all types of road traffic, from passenger cars to heavy trucks.