Redefining sustainable transport, a distinctive hybrid truck, paired with a solar panel-clad trailer, is currently undergoing real-world trials on public roads. The culmination of a two-year collaborative research effort involving Scania, Uppsala University, Eksjö Maskin & Truck, Midsummer, Ernsts Express, and Dalakraft, this visionary project integrates solar energy to substantially cut operational costs and local emissions, courtesy of the truck's self-generated power.
Stas Krupenia, Head of the Research Office at Scania, articulated the company's vision, saying, "Scania's mission is to spearhead the transition to a sustainable transport system. This collaboration introduces an unprecedented utilization of solar panels to power a truck's drivetrain. This natural energy source has the potential to significantly slash emissions within the transportation sector. We're thrilled to lead the charge in shaping the next generation of trucks."
Driving Research: Solar Energy and Emission Reductions
The solar-infused truck is at the heart of an ongoing research endeavor designed to scrutinize the efficiency of the solar energy generated and quantify the resulting reduction in carbon emissions facilitated by the solar panels. The collaborative effort led to the creation of novel, efficient, and lightweight solar panels customized for trucks. Additionally, the project explores how trucks can interface with the power grid and envisions models for the potential impact of connecting multiple similarly powered trucks to the grid.
Erik Johansson, Project Manager and Professor of Physical Chemistry at Uppsala University, commended the joint efforts, saying, "This captivating project represents a collaborative endeavor between academia and industry, aimed at mitigating the climate impact stemming from truck transport. The insights derived from this exceptional truck study will undoubtedly prove invaluable."
Empowering Green Mobility: Solar Energy-Powered Performance
The truck's 18-meter trailer is almost entirely enveloped in solar panels, mirroring the capacity of panels on a house. This solar integration bestows the hybrid truck with an extended driving range of up to 5,000 kilometers annually in Sweden. In sunnier climates like Spain, where solar exposure is higher, the vehicle's solar energy utilization can double, effectively doubling its range compared to Swedish conditions.
The research undertaking extends to pioneering lightweight tandem solar cells, blending Midsummer's solar technology with new perovskite solar cells. This combination elevates the efficiency of converting sunlight into electricity. The innovation could potentially double the energy generation compared to current panel-based systems.
Erik Olsson, Head of Corporate Development at Midsummer, underscored the significance of these advances, stating, "Our solar panels are ideally suited for applications that foster sustainable commercial vehicles. Electrification holds immense potential for curbing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. The solar panels' electricity generation translates to fuel savings and reduced carbon emissions, aligning with our commitment to being a reliable partner in advancing sustainable transport."
Looking Ahead: Industry Impact and Future Integration
The truck, a 560 horsepower plug-in hybrid, stands as a testament to collaborative innovation. Its journey will now involve real-world trials operated by Ernsts Express AB, a haulage company dedicated to environmentally friendly transport solutions. With its solar-powered architecture and promise of reduced carbon footprint, this initiative could potentially revolutionize the haulage sector.
The venture, partly funded by the innovation agency Vinnova, mirrors a broader initiative to create low-impact trucks through solar energy. The truck's integrated system comprises a 100-square-meter surface of thin, lightweight, and flexible solar panels on the 18-meter trailer. With a peak efficiency of 13.2 kWp, they are poised to deliver an estimated 8,000 kilowatt-hours annually in Sweden. Bolstered by a battery capacity of 300 kWh, divided into 100 kWh on the truck and 200 kWh on the trailer, this solar-powered hybrid ushers in a new era of sustainable road transport.
