Scania's Semi Could Reach A Range Of Up To 6,214 Miles From The Sun
by AutoExpert | 13 September, 2023
Scania and its partners joined forces to test something truly innovative: a plug-in hybrid semi-truck that gets a power boost from the sun.
Imagine a massive 59 foot trailer covered in sleek solar panels, totaling a whopping 1,076 square feet, equivalent to what you'd find on a well-equipped house. These solar panels aren't just for show; they mean business.
They're expected to churn out roughly 8,000 kWh of power each year in Sweden. This energy isn't wasted; it's put to work, charging up a hefty 200 kWh battery in the trailer and an additional 100 kWh battery in the truck. The big question here is how much this solar energy can reduce both operational costs and harmful emissions.
Now, the exciting part: in Sweden, these solar panels could potentially provide up to 3,107 miles of emission-free driving annually. In sunnier spots like Spain, that range might even double to a whopping 6,214 miles. It's a remarkable leap forward in the world of trucks, showing the way to a greener, more sustainable future.
Scania's Stas Krupenia summed it up perfectly when he said, "Never before have solar panels been used to generate energy for a truck’s powertrain like we do in this collaboration. This natural energy source can significantly decrease emissions in the transport sector."