Scientists design electric roads

At one of the US government's top research centres, scientists are designing new roads that will provide cars will electricity as they drive by.

Using a method called resonant magnetic coupling, scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee are creating coils that could be placed on both the road and the bottom of a car, allowing energy to be transferred to the car.

Researchers say this will allow the development of a transportation system where energy is supplied by the highway to the vehicle, meaning cars woud be able to carry smaller battery packs.

However, the technology is not ready yet - scientists at the lab will be working on reducing the coil size and fitting three different types of vehicles in the next 12-18 months.