Transportation emissions account for 70% of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions and are mainly responsible for air pollution in cities. The European Commission and local governments are making immense efforts to encourage citizens to switch to electric and hybrid cars through economic incentives. The biggest issue is to cut down carbon emissions of freight transportations that carry on the European Union’s commodities across its free trade area
Siemens innovated the industry by creating a sustainable alternative: electric highways that recharge e-trucks as they go. So far the project has reached the roads of Sweden and the USA.
Finally electric car batteries that can be fully charged in just 5 minutes
How it works:
The energy supply is a catenary system transmitted through two poles that give renewable energy to rectifiers at a medium voltage power transformer.
The second part is an attached pantograph into the truck’s operating system that connects to the cables. The energy is transmitted from the overhead contact lines to the electric motor of the highway trucks. The driver can easily connect and disconnect by simply pushing a button. Also, the pantograph disconnects automatically in the event of evasive maneuvers.
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The highway will allow freight transportation to be a hybrid drive, allowing drivers to choose the type of mode they’d like to transit—either fuel or fully electric.
The electric highway will reduce carbon emissions and be more economical for drivers since they will save fuel costs. The efficiency and environmentally positive innovation will lead to a greener Europe, which hopefully will be adapted through all highways of the globe.
Siemens is an outstanding example of how big corporations can collaborate with governments to benefit the economy and the environment through sustainable innovations.
