Research

Excerpt

Current forecasts indicate that the amount of freight transported over long distances by road is likely to increase, but the trucks used for the purpose are still equipped with conventional drive systems. For this reason, as part of its StratON project (evaluation and introduction strategies for the use of overhead power lines with heavy commercial vehicles) the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO, together with Heilbronn University and Intraplan Consult GmbH and under the leadership of the Öko-Institut, is investigating how long-haul trucks can be powered by electricity from OVERHEAD LINES ALONG MOTORWAYS. The project compares the electric trucks with other alternative drive systems and energy supply options, such as hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles. The initial analyses have already shown that the hybrid trucks using electricity from overhead lines are more energy efficient and have a lower overall cost than other alternative drive systems in heavy goods vehicles. …