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."
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Electric-diesel Vehicle Hybrids
- There is an opportunity to develop more eco-friendly hybrid vehicles that can switch between internal combustion engines and electrical power sources.
- Infrastructure-integrated Transportation
- There is an opportunity to integrate existing infrastructure, such as overhead power lines, into transportation systems to increase their efficiency and decrease their environmental impact.
- Intelligent Transportation Systems
- There is an opportunity to use technology to create more advanced and efficient transportation systems, including vehicles that can automatically connect to overhead power lines.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Transportation
- The transportation industry can explore the development and implementation of hybrid vehicles with infrastructure integration for more eco-friendly and efficient transport options.
- Energy
- The energy industry can examine ways to repurpose existing power grid infrastructure, such as overhead power lines, to be used in intelligent transportation systems.
- Automotive
- The automotive industry can explore the development of hybrid vehicles with advanced features, including the ability to automatically connect to overhead power lines for a more efficient and eco-friendly driving experience.
