Just Like The Metro, Electric Trucks In Germany Will Now Be Powered By Overhead Power Lines On The Road

You might have seen overhead power lines zipping across metro tracks in several metropolitan cities. While the idea of powering a train is quite common for means like city metros, it is relatively unheard of on roads. Not anymore, as two multinational firms made the concept come to life recently for all-electric trucks in Germany.

Germany debuted its electric highway on May 7, 2019, stretching across a total distance of 10 km on a road just south of Frankfurt. The system will be used to power hybrid trucks in the region, as an effort to cut down on the emissions released by the diesel-powered delivery trucks.

Started several years ago, the project comes as a collaborative venture of Siemens and Scania. The overhead electric lines work much like the ones on trams and trains. In order to use the method for trucks, an extendable power coupler was created by Siemens that automatically extends from the top of the vehicle to connect to the electric lines. Sensors have been put in place to detect the presence of these electric lines.

Siemens¡¯ eHighway system (Image: Siemens)

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Another added plus of the electric lines is the fact that trucks will not have to make regular stops to recharge their batteries or refuel (in the case of diesel trucks). Considering the long hauls that delivery trucks usually have to make, this would save businesses a lot of time and money. The overhead power lines would also eliminate the need for setting charging infrastructures at regular intervals. And of course, being hybrid trucks, the vehicles can switch to diesel in stretches where the lines have not been installed.

The technology is not new though, as it is already in work in places like Sweden and Los Angeles, on shorter stretches. Germany, however, plans it to make it more widespread across its road networks, once the data from the pilot highway rolls in.

The technology by Siemens allows the hybrid trucks to maintain a steady speed when they are attached to the power lines. In the event where a truck has to overtake a vehicle in front, the lines easily detach on their own and then automatically reconnect when the truck gets back to its lane.

(Image: Siemens)

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The technology was first presented by Siemens back in 2012 for large commercial trucks. However, battery technology was not as evolved at the time and was not a viable option for heavy-duty trucks across large distances. With advancement in the field and the evolution of electric vehicles, Siemens¡¯ solution can really prove to be an effective solution for green commute.

Siemens claims that the e-Highway is ¡°twice as efficient compared to internal combustion engines.¡± Hence, with the dual benefit of lower energy consumption and local air pollution can help Germany achieve its aim of reducing its CO2 emissions by 80 percent by 2050. With the country eyeing to ban the sale of all petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, a widespread network of the eHighway technology by Siemens might just be the solution for Germany.