Siemens eHighway Trucks are Powered by Overhead Electrical Wires
It's no secret that massive commercial vehicles barreling down the road churn out a great deal of road pollution, and the Siemens eHighway initiative is testing a new type of truck that would run on electricity -- but not in the way one would think.
Using the overhead electrical power line system that works successfully in trams and railway cars, the company has come up with a half-electric, half-diesel hybrid vehicle that can easily switch between the two power sources.
When driving along on a roadway where power lines exist, the truck automatically expels a pantograph from the roof and links up to the overhead wires. When the truck shifts onto a highway where no lines are available for use, the vehicle's internal system retracts the connector and switches to an efficient, low-emission motor.
This truck is really redefining the term "smart car."
Using the overhead electrical power line system that works successfully in trams and railway cars, the company has come up with a half-electric, half-diesel hybrid vehicle that can easily switch between the two power sources.
When driving along on a roadway where power lines exist, the truck automatically expels a pantograph from the roof and links up to the overhead wires. When the truck shifts onto a highway where no lines are available for use, the vehicle's internal system retracts the connector and switches to an efficient, low-emission motor.
This truck is really redefining the term "smart car."
