Solar roadways may be answer to energy woes

In response to "Energy crisis: Why can't electric cars recharge themselves?" (Bee, Sept. 16)

I'm an electrical engineer, and what you're suggesting is perpetual motion. It's a great idea, but if all those physics teachers I had all those years ago are correct, then it just isn't possible.

I own "Who Killed the Electric Car?" and I think it's well worth watching. They were correct about the car only being good for short distances, however, due to the fact that they have to be recharged every hundred miles or so.

I've been working on a solution to this problem for the past few years. We're currently working on a project we call the solar roadways. In a nutshell, it's a road made out of solar panels that you drive on (in a structurally engineered encasement of course). These solar road panels collect and store energy (electricity), replacing the oil-based asphalt road system. Governor Otter recently shared that the cost of liquid asphalt has gone from $175/ton last December to more than $1,000/ton when I spoke with him in July.

A road that generates and stores electricity will allow the electric car to recharge anywhere along the road. The sun provides the power - the road delivers three times more power than our nation has ever used. No more coal-fired electricity plants. No more nuclear plants. This would also be a self-healing power grid which could eliminate many national security issues. It would fulfill your request. Once fully electric vehicles become standard, our dependence on oil will also be eliminated.

You can find more information on our Web site - www.solarroadways.com.

SCOTT BRUSAW

Sagle