Scania is trialling a solar powered truck on public roads to learn how the technology could help to lower costs and emissions.

The vehicle maker has developed a unique plug-in hybrid truck, which is paired with an 18m trailer covered in new lightweight tandem solar panels.

The solar energy produced gives the hybrid truck a prolonged driving range of up to 5,000km (3,100 miles) annually, in Sweden.

In countries like Spain, with more sun hours, the vehicle could feasibly double its driving range.

 

Stas Krupenia, head of the research office at Scania AB, said: “Never before have solar panels been used to generate energy to power a truck.

“This natural energy source can significantly decrease emissions in the transport sector. And it is great to be at the forefront in the development of the next generation’s trucks.”

More than 100 square metres of space on the trailer has been covered by solar panels. They produce a maximum efficiency of 13.2kWp (kilowatt peak), which will replenish 300kWh of batteries on the vehicle – 100kWh on the truck and 200kWh in the trailer.

Haulage company Ernsts Express AB will test the vehicle on public roads.

Lars Evertsson, CEO at Ernsts Express, said: “The whole industry is facing big challenges in general, especially with the cost of fuels. Electrification from renewable electricity is the future.”

One part of the project is to evaluate the charging impact of plug-in hybrid trucks on the electricity grid and to understand whether it would be possible to sell the surplus energy generated by the solar panels.

The study is expected to last two years.

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