Seoul gets a wireless electric tramway

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A new kind of tram has just been inaugurated in Seoul and could well revolutionise traditional public transport.

The first On-Line Electric Vehicle (OLEV) made its debut last week in the South Korean capital. What makes this vehicle, which runs 2.2 km around a park in the town, so distinctive? It recharges itself from magnetic strips buried under the ground.

Developed by the Korea Advanced Institute Of Science and Technologies (KAIST), it draws its energy directly from the road. The magnetic strips, plugged into the national electric grid, are buried 30 cm beneath the surface and only need to cover 20% of the journey.

External supply is only feasible on four segments totalling 372.5 metres of the entire circuit. Between two supplied zones, and particularly at stations, the OLEV charges its batteries, which allows it to run on a normal road surface.

A life-sized test for the vehicle of the future

We shouldn’t be deceived by the good-natured appearance of this little green train ; this prototype is responsible for the real-scale testing of an innovative and previously unseen device.

When compared with a traditional tramway, infrastructural work would, in fact, be considerably reduced, whereas flexibility would be greatly improved. It will be easier to extend or divert an existing line. Electric buses could serve any district of a town. ”In an urban bus transport system, you’d only need supply segments on 20% of the journey ”, assesses the KAIST.

The designers even foresee the system supplying electricity to private electric cars, which would avoid them having to recharge while stationary.

Lee In-Keun, Director of Seoul’s Air Quality Agency, reminds us that ”Widespread adoption of electric vehicles could not only significantly reduce air pollution, but could also have an active influence on the question of climate change". If the test is satisfactory, the system will thereafter be implemented on a citywide scale.