World’s First Electric Truck Highway Debuts in Sweden

World's First Electric Truck Highway Debuts in Sweden
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Sweden is debuting an electric highway for trucks that could reduce emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

The eHighway, as it’s colloquially known, is being tested on a 1.2 mile portion of the E16 road near the city of Gavle, Sweden, which is north of Stockholm, according to CNET.

Siemens, a German engineering company, is partnering with Swedish automotive manufacturer Scania for the trial run, which began this month.

The trial will use specialized diesel-hybrid vehicles built by Scania, and will last two years, the engineering company wrote on its webpage.

The highway allows hybrid trucks to draw energy from overhead power lines, which make contact with receivers on top of the trucks. The energy then powers the vehicle’s electric motors, Siemens said.

The company noted that steering a truck connected to the overhead power lines is no different than steering a conventional vehicle. The connection automatically disconnects if evasive maneuvers are taken, for example.

When connected, the trucks deactivate their diesel engines and emit zero emissions, either automatically or at the push of a button, according to Siemens.

When the trucks are off the power grid, they revert back to their diesel engines, Engadget wrote.

The hybrid system is estimated to be “twice as efficient” as conventional fossil fuel engines, and would help stem the shipping industry’s reliance on fossil fuels, according to CNET.

Sweden’s Transportation Administration will watch the project with a close eye, and study whether eHighways would be suitable for future commercial use and deployment.

Featured Photo: Verge Transportation

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