The Biden administration’s recent climate rule for cargo trucks has intensified pressure on manufacturers to reduce carbon emissions. One potential solution gaining traction is the electrification of semitrucks, with experiments focusing on overhead cables or wireless charging roads, as well as battery swapping at highway pit stops.

The EPA rule aims to make approximately 17% of the largest class of trucks in the U.S. carbon-free within eight years, presenting a significant challenge for long-distance heavy-load vehicles.

Truck manufacturers may adopt overhead cable technology, which has been utilized for city trams, trains, and buses for over a century. Projects like the eHighway in Lübeck, Germany, and a pilot near Los Angeles enable hybrid and electric trucks to draw power directly from the grid via pantographs extended from their roofs to overhead cables. This approach offers advantages over plug-in charging, providing dedicated lanes for trucks and allowing continuous movement while charging.

Overall, these experiments represent innovative approaches as the freight industry undergoes a $1 trillion transition away from diesel fuel, with the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions from trucking operations.

Inspired by: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/three-experiments-could-help-electrify-big-trucks/