Florida is in the process of building a new roadway to the west of Orlando, connecting US Route 27 with State Road 429. This roadway, named the Lake/Orange Expressway or State Road 516, features advanced elements such as technology that charges electric vehicles without wires. A segment of the highway, approximately three-quarters of a mile long, will have inductive charging coils installed beneath its surface. These coils create a magnetic field to convey power to vehicles that have a receiver, allowing them to enhance their range, although they won’t achieve a full charge. While electric highways are not a novel concept, they typically require overhead cabling and specialized vehicle infrastructure.

The Lake/Orange Expressway, anticipated to be operational by around 2029, aims to support electric vehicles and act as a testing ground for initiatives that allow charging while in motion. If this proves successful, it could address challenges related to the broader acceptance of electric vehicles, such as dependence on large battery inventories and the intricacy of installing charging stations. States such as California are investing significantly in charging infrastructure, with more than 200,000 stations already in place.

Alongside wireless charging, State Road 516 will incorporate solar panels for adjacent infrastructure, wildlife crossings, and multi-use paths for travel modes other than automobiles.