China’s First Carbon-Negative Highway
China has opened a 152.7 km section of the Jinan-Hefei expressway that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it produces, making it the world’s first carbon-negative highway. This innovative stretch offsets 9,000 tons of CO₂ annually, thanks to advanced green technologies and renewable energy. The project serves as a model for future highways, with plans to extend such initiatives across China’s 184,000 km expressway network, which grows by 9,000 km annually.
Green Technologies and Renewable Energy at Work
Developed by Shandong Hi-Speed Group (SDHS), the highway integrates a range of sustainable technologies. It relies on solar panels and wind turbines installed along the roadway, producing 33 GWh of electricity annually. These panels cover walls, canopies, and overpasses, while energy is stored in 9 MW batteries with an 18 MWh capacity. Additionally, geothermal heat pumps provide heating for roadside buildings.
To absorb CO₂, the highway incorporates extensive green plantings, which actively clean the air. These efforts, coupled with eco-friendly construction methods, reduce emissions significantly.
Although the highway itself emits 13,600 tons of CO₂ annually, renewable energy technologies offset these emissions by 22,500 tons, achieving a net reduction of 9,000 tons.
A Future of Smarter, Greener Highways
SDHS has equipped the highway with an intelligent operations platform that uses advanced algorithms to monitor, inspect, and maintain the road in real time. By employing license plate recognition and precise location tracking, the company ensures efficient management and reduces operational inefficiencies.
This project represents a significant step toward sustainable infrastructure, paving the way for greener transportation networks worldwide.
