eHighway test setup (via Siemens AG)
As Bill Nye the Science Guy told us in his 90’s show, point source pollution is much more manageable and treatable than the pollution that is produced by the randomly changing location of automotive vehicle. Car's are not off the hook for their contributions, but there is a plan. Los Angeles is teaming up with the German company Siemens to embark on an exciting experiment that hopes to reduce 30% of the total fuel used and carbon emissions released by freight trucks travelling through L.A.
To accomplish this, an “eHighway” is being installed which will stretch for some of the section of the 710 Interstate near Los Angeles. The “eHighway” will consist of overhead electric lines, similar to those used by trolleys, that will power trucks that make frequent trips through the area.
Freight trucks use almost 2.5 million gallons of oil per year. Plus an estimated 40% of all the cargo freight carts entering the U.S. come in through L.A. and Long Beach ports so the location is perfect for this project.
Siemens made the “eHighway” announcement at this year’s Electric Vehicle Symposium that took place in Los Angeles. For years, Siemens has tested this style of electric trucks in their German facilities, but Los Angeles will be the first city to implement it. Thanks to all of the previous work by Siemens, the project is expected to be functioning this year.
The only downside to the project, as with most renewable energy projects is initial-cost. For every mile of wires, the cost will be around 5 to 7 million dollars. New trucks will also need that will run on electricity and also diesel when needed.
The monetary cost must not take focus as the project offers many benefits. The reduction of fuel consumption will eventually payback the price of all of this and the positive impact on the L.A. air quality will be great, not to mention the example that L.A. is setting for other cities around the country and world to follow.
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