Sweden opens section of highway with overhead wires for hybrid trucks

Siemens, in collaboration with truck manufacturer Scania, has built a two-kilometre stretch near Stockholm that can accommodate hybrid diesel trucks. The ‘eHighway’ is mainly intended to combat local air pollution.

Siemens has been experimenting with the system for a number of years and this is the first stretch of public road where trolley-like trucks can drive. The stretch of highway is on the north side of Stockholm on the E16. Two hybrid trucks, developed by Scania, will test the system in the near future.

If the truck gets away with the overhead wire on the stretch, the pantograph on the roof of the truck can make contact with the overhead wire. After that, you can switch to electric drive. The pantograph can make contact with the catenary at speeds of up to ninety kilometers per hour.

Another advantage is that the system can also function as a charging path for fully electric buses. They can recharge their batteries there. Siemens is also working on a similar system in California. There, the German company works together with Volvo. The first tests will start there in 2017.