World's first eHighway opens in Sweden

Today sees the opening of the world's first eHighway in Sweden. For the next two years, a Siemens catenary system for trucks will be tested on a two-kilometre stretch of the E16 highway north of Stockholm. The trial will use two diesel hybrid vehicles manufactured by Scania and adapted, in collaboration with Siemens, to operate under the catenary system The core of the system is an intelligent pantograph combined with a hybrid drive system. A sensor system enables the pantograph to connect to and disconn
June 22, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Today sees the opening of the world's first eHighway in Sweden. For the next two years, a 189 Siemens catenary system for trucks will be tested on a two-kilometre stretch of the E16 highway north of Stockholm. The trial will use two diesel hybrid vehicles manufactured by Scania and adapted, in collaboration with Siemens, to operate under the catenary system

The core of the system is an intelligent pantograph combined with a hybrid drive system. A sensor system enables the pantograph to connect to and disconnect from the overhead line at speeds of up to 90 km per hour. Trucks equipped with the system draw power from the overhead catenary wires as they drive, enabling them to travel efficiently and with zero local emissions.

The hybrid system enables operation outside of the contact line, maintaining the flexibility of conventional trucks. The eHighway technology features an open configuration, meaning that other solutions, such as battery or natural gas, can be implemented as an alternative to the diesel hybrid drive system used in Sweden. This allows the system to be adapted flexibly to the specific application.

Transport accounts for more than one third of Sweden's CO2 emissions, with almost half of that coming from freight transport. As part of its climate protection strategy, Sweden has committed to having a fossil fuel independent transport sector by 2030.

During the two-year trial, Sweden's Transport Administration 6301 Trafikverket and Gävleborg County plan to create a knowledge base to determine whether the Siemens eHighway system is suitable for future long-term commercial use and further deployment.
Location Based Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • First pan-European stolen truck tracking and monitoring system
    May 18, 2012
    Cobra and Mercedes-Benz Trucks have announced the launch of 'Mercedes-Benz Tracking System' which is being claimed as the first pan-European stolen vehicle tracking and location monitoring system for HGVs. The covertly fitted device uses GPS/GPRS/GSM technology to provide web-based on-demand pinpoint location and stolen vehicle tracking for Actros, Axor and Atego trucks. It is the only system tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz Trucks and backed-up by a one-year manufacturer warranty.
    Read More
  • GE opens innovation centre for alternative fuel vehicles and solutions
    June 1, 2012
    GE Capital Fleet Services has announced the opening of its Vehicle Innovation Centre, to provide businesses, industry groups and researchers with first-hand experience of alternative fuel vehicles and enabling GE technologies. Showcasing the latest in a growing array of alternative fuel vehicles in electric, natural gas, propane, hydrogen and other formats, the centre gives GE’s commercial customers the opportunity to learn about and test drive numerous alternative fuel cars and trucks in a single location
    Read More
  • USDoT looks at the costs and potential benefits of connected vehicles
    October 26, 2017
    David Crawford looks at latest lessons learned from the trials of connected vehicles in the US. The progress of connected vehicle (CV) technologies takes centre stage among the hot topics highlighted in the September 2017 edition – the first since 2014 – of the ‘ITS Benefits, Costs and Lessons Learned’ survey from the US ITS Joint Program Office (JPO). The organisation is an arm of the US Department of Transportation (USDoT).
    Read More
  • London’s strategy to tackle air quality problems
    October 21, 2014
    Colin Sowman talks to Matthew Pencharz, the man charged with charting London’s path between catering for traveller needs, conserving ancient buildings and conforming to modern air quality standards.
    Read More

Highlighted Content