Engineers around the world are working on ways to charge electric vehicles while they’re driving. It’s all thanks to high-tech roads — which are finally bubbling up in America after years of pilot programs in Europe — that could directly power EVs as they pass over them.

And while we may not all be ready to switch to an EV, there are simple ways we can all make electricity work in our favor (and save money in the process) by taking care of everyday household appliances.

Germany has spent years testing a self-charging road — is America ready to take the plunge?

In Germany, heavy-duty truck drivers traverse an experimental road that powers their vehicles directly with electricity as they drive — much like a train or streetcar.

Proponents of the innovative solution say building electrified highways (which look amazing) is a better option than creating vast networks of EV charging stations — although they’re costly to build.

But it’s not just trucks that could benefit from these kinds of roads. The next step, which other European countries and even the U.S. are now testing, is to create roads that charge electric cars as well. Here’s what’s happening:

• Sweden is testing roads where cars can slide into electrical tracks that power them up as they drive.
• In Indiana, engineers are working on the first segment of electrified highway in the U.S. — using totally wireless charging.
• Some drivers in Detroit can already charge EVs along a stretch of road that provides wireless charging, and Florida should soon have a road with similar capabilities.

While questions remain about the costs of these projects, the technology already exists to move people and even cargo along without needing to pollute the air by burning diesel or other dirty fuels.

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Why 1 Texas family decided to forgo millions and turn their land into a nature preserve

A large property originally slated to become a subdivision with 2,400 homes will instead be protected and made publicly accessible as a state park after Ronnie and Terry Urbanczyk sold 515 acres to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for $25 million.

The couple could have made $125 million developing the land, but now Honey Creek will preserve the habitat of at-risk animals such as golden-cheeked warblers, black-capped vireos, and Comal blind salamanders.

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Infuriating footage shows a Tesla driver getting harassed by ‘coal rollers’ on the highway

A Tesla EV driver shared a video of three pickup trucks creating a blockade in front of him on the highway and blowing heavy plumes of diesel exhaust, which is referred to as “rolling coal.”

It’s a practice that has injured cyclists and created visibility hazards for EV drivers, among other issues.

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THE GAME CHANGER

This common laundry mistake could be costing you big-time — here’s how to avoid it and save cash

We depend on washers and dryers to clean our clothes, but the difference between a well-maintained machine and a poorly kept one goes a long way — especially when it comes to power bills.

Thankfully, one Instagram hack shows how a simple yearly dryer-cleaning routine can prevent a buildup that could bog down efficiency and spike your energy costs. Here are a few ways to keep your machines running smoothly:

• Emptying and vacuuming out the lint trap and dryer vent can help the appliance last longer and reduce the amount of energy needed to push hot air onto your clothes.
• Washing your clothes in cold water and opting to hang your laundry outside to dry can also cut down on energy usage and extend the life of your appliances.
• When you do need to replace your washer and dryer, consider certified energy-efficient models, which can use 25% less energy and 33% less water.

It’s all evidence that the laundry room is a great place to make small adjustments that can go a long way with your monthly expenses.

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