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Germany will build the first electrified highway to solve the problem of life
Author Fang Ling recently reported that Siemens has struck a deal with the state of Hessen in Germany to install a 10-kilometer-long overhead catenary system along the A5 federal highway, marking the creation of Germany's very first electrified highway, known as the eHighway. This move comes at a critical time for Germany, which has been grappling with the fallout from the "Dieselgate" scandal. It seems the country is now looking towards electric vehicles as part of its future.
The concept of electrified roads was first introduced by Siemens back in 2012. Their vision involves fitting trucks with intelligent pantographs that work alongside hybrid systems. These trucks can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h while connected to the overhead wires, drawing power directly from the grid. When off the electrified sections, they switch seamlessly to their hybrid engines.
According to Siemens, the eHighway significantly boosts energy efficiency, being twice as efficient as traditional internal combustion engines. This not only cuts fuel costs in half but also drastically reduces emissions, making it ideal for areas like ports, industrial zones, and logistics hubs. The Quartz website highlighted a report from IDTechEx suggesting that Siemens' system could save up to 200 billion euros over the next three decades.
This innovation addresses one of the biggest challenges facing electric vehicles today—range anxiety. Freight trucks often travel hundreds or even thousands of miles daily, and their energy needs grow proportionally with their load. Current battery technologies struggle to keep pace with such demands, but Siemens' solution offers a practical workaround.
Germany isn’t alone in embracing this shift. European nations are rapidly transforming their transportation sectors following the Paris Climate Accord. For instance, Siemens has already announced plans to build electrified highways in both Sweden and the U.S., where similar projects are underway. Sweden aims to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels within the transport sector by 2030.
Other European countries are equally committed to phasing out gas-powered vehicles. France led the charge by declaring that sales of petrol and diesel cars would cease by 2040. Just a month later, the UK followed suit with identical legislation. Even German Chancellor Angela Merkel, once a staunch supporter of diesel vehicles, has embraced the transition to electric mobility. She recently affirmed her commitment to seeing one million electric vehicles on German roads by 2020.
As global efforts intensify to combat climate change, innovations like Siemens’ electrified highways signal a promising step forward. By combining cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices, we may soon see a cleaner, greener future for transportation worldwide.