Volvo is collaborating with the Swedish Transport Administration to test the possibility of building electric roads capable of charging buses while in operation.

The new pilot programme is a part of a plan to develop a sustainable transport system in the country.

Volvo plans to build a 300m to 500m electric road along a bus line in central Gothenburg during 2015 to conduct test operations for public transport.

"Close cooperation between society and industry is needed for such a development to be possible and we look forward to investigating the possibilities together with the city of Gothenburg."

Under this programme to study inductive charging technology, the vehicle’s batteries would be charged wirelessly during operation by transferring energy from the electricity grid to the vehicle through the electric road.

Volvo corporate sustainability and public affairs executive vice president Niklas Gustavsson said that vehicles capable of being charged directly from the road during operation could become the next pioneering step in the development towards reduced environmental impact.

"Close cooperation between society and industry is needed for such a development to be possible and we look forward to investigating the possibilities together with the city of Gothenburg," Gustavsson said.

In accordance with its sustainable transport solution vision, Volvo has introduced hybrid buses with electrical engines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, three of which are in currently operation in Gothenburg.

In 2015, the company will launch ElectriCity, a bus line that will run between Chalmers and Lindholmen in Gothenburg, to trial charging technology and electric power for heavy vehicles.