Trucks latch on to wires overhead allowing them to not use fossil fuels. Siemens and Scania join forces to test the world's first electric highway. 
(Photo via Scania)
I am skeptical of this old idea. Cities used to be covered in similar suspended power lines. In the long run, is this a feasible option?
It seems everything in our world is switching to electric power: electric cars, electric subways, and electric scooters. But, driving down an electric powered highway? If you live in Sweden you may just be doing that. Siemens and Scania teamed up to test what's being called the world's first electric highway. Though it makes you picture the little hot wheels tracks you use to pull off loop-de-loops, it's actually similar to an electrified railroad. The 1.2 mile road has a series of wires hanging overhead that connects to a pantograph-equipped truck. At this point, the truck can deactivate its fuel-burning engine and cruise along the electric highway, switching back to traditional fuel when the wires stop.
This design aims to reduces energy usage in half compared to conventional internal combustion engines. The vehicles, adorably dubbed “eHighway vehicles,” run using diesel hybrid drive, letting them operate like a typical fuel-burning cars in areas that aren't electrified or on grid power while connected to the catenary system (overhead power lines). Using the adaptability of conventional trucks, the design allows for a staged roll-out of the technology, which is a common issue when implementing new technologies.
“By far the greatest part of the goods transported in Sweden goes on the road, but only a limited part of the goods can be moved to other traffic types,” Anders Berndtsson, chief strategist at the Swedish Transport Administration (STA), said. “That is why we must free the trucks from their dependence on fossil fuels, so that they can be of use also in the future. Electric roads offer this possibility and are an excellent complement to the transport system,” he added.
Right now, the highway is in the testing phase. Sweden's Scania manufactured and adapted two pair of heavy duty trucks to use in the demonstration. After running for two years, the pilot will decide if the system can be commercialized and deployed in other areas, maybe even in different countries. Not only does this project mark the world's first electric highway, it's also the first project of its kind to run in real-world conditions on a public road. The project is being funded by Trafikverket, the Swedish transport authority, the Swedish Energy Agency Energimyndigheten, and innovation agency Vinnova.
This is only the first step of Sweden transforming its transportation system to run fossil fuel-free by 2030. Siemens also noted it's currently working on another eHighway pilot project that's supposed to roll out in California in 2017. The company is also developing technologies for alternative fuels, hybridized and fully electric cars, and autonomously and wirelessly-connected transport. If testing proves successful, it could be a huge leap forward in promoted electric fuel. Hopefully, the technology can be implemented in large cities, like Chicago. Imagine seeing a truck costing down the Dan Ryan attached to electric wires. I believe old Chicago removed such catenary systems in favor of buses. Perhaps it's time for a return.
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