alternatehistory.com

So, Siemens has been developing a system that they call an ‘eHighway’ and it looks like a really cool technology. If you’ve ever see a trackless trolley/trolleybus, you know the basic idea, a bus that draws its power from overhead lines, like trolleys and (some) subways do. This technology has been in common use in public transportation for over a hundred years, its very mature.

Siemens is using this same technology for semi trucks. The basic concept seems so obvious that its a wonder it hasn’t been considered until now. Thats not to say that it should have been developed in the early days, as Siemens’ system relies on what they call an ‘intelligent pantograph’ which seems to be able to better respond to highway conditions, particularly the likelyhood that the vehicle will have to temporarily operate off the power line. A related issue is that you need a robust system to power the vehicle when it is off the power lines, either good enough batteries to last until the truck returns to the line (which could be awhile, if there’s no power lines directly at the origin or destination), or a combustion engine. So, an advanced battery technology, or good hybrid engines (or be willing to tolerate heavy trucks!).

https://www.siemens.com/global/en/h.../road-solutions/electromobility/ehighway.html
https://www.inverse.com/article/38301-siemens-ehighway-electric-highway

So, ultimately, the question would be, how much earlier do we think this particular technology could be developed?
Top