# High-Voltage Hybrid Vehicles Siemens eHighway Trucks are Powered by Overhead Electrical Wires By Sarah Moore | Published 2012-05-24 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/siemens-ehighway References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/siemens-ehighway-of-the-future-concept/22648/) & [mobility.siemens](http://www.mobility.siemens.com/mobility/global/en/interurban-mobility/road-solutions/electric-powered-hgv-traffic-eHighway/Pages/electric-powered-hgv-traffic-eHighway.aspx) It's no secret that [massive commercial vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-heavyduty-truck) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wireless-charging-1) that works successfully in trams and railway cars, the company has come up with a [half-electric, half-diesel hybrid vehicle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/offroad-vehicles1) 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." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 60% | Activity: 37% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Decarbonized Long-Haul Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/longhaul-truck.md) - [Revolutionary Electric Commercial Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-commercial-truck.md) - [Fully Electric Semi Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kenworth-t680e.md) - [Battery Electric Vehicle Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/battery-electric-vehicles.md) - [Swedish Electric Road Highways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trafikverket.md) - [All-Electric Mining Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mining-truck-prototype.md) - [Regenerative Braking Electric Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/regenerative-braking-electric-trucks.md) - [Industrial Electric Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/econic.md) - [Electrically Powered Mining Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mining-haul-truck.md)