China has launched the world's first "electric" highway

The first road lined with photovoltaic panels was created two years ago in France. Now China has decided to go a step further and have launched the world's first electric highway. Jinan City Expressway is one of the most-frequented roads in eastern China.

Now one of its sections is covered by special photovoltaic panels protected against damage by three layers of light-transmitting concrete.

According to the assurances of the investor, the Qilu Transportation Development Group launched at the end of December, the road will generate a gigawatt hour (GWh) of electricity per year, which corresponds to the needs of 800 households.

The "electric" section is currently less than two kilometers long and is intended for two-wheelers, passenger cars and lorries with a load capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes. The motorway is to be gradually expanded and supplemented by super-fast charging stations for electric cars.

The energy generated will be first used to supply road infrastructure - signs, lights, cameras and toll booths. The surpluses will go to the power grid and will be used to illuminate nearby residential districts. The plans are also to use the energy produced also for charging electric cars or for powering the Internet infrastructure.