United Kingdom Aims to Copy Technology Used by Volkswagen and JAC in Brazil to Create Electric Roads That Charge Trucks While They Drive

JAC Motors and Volkswagen Launched Their Electric Trucks, But With Autonomy That Only Covers Short Distances. Looking Ahead, the United Kingdom Plans to Use an Electric Highway System That Recharges Trucks While They Drive, Similar to São Paulo

In the United Kingdom, some brands have already started to set dates to end the production of combustion cars and are implementing plans to become 100% electric. However, heavy vehicles, such as trucks, are also receiving this new technology, as shown by Volkswagen and JAC with their electric trucks, but at a slower pace.

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Understand How Electric Trucks Could Have Greater Autonomy

In Brazil, Volkswagen and JAC have already started their work and presented the e-Delivery and iEV1200T trucks. Both models are viable due to their design to serve in urban centers and achieve daily distances, even with a reduced battery pack.

However, while the battery and autonomy are two factors that pose a headache for manufacturers like Volkswagen and JAC in small electric trucks, experts question how these same tests will be conducted on heavy trucks, as they need to cover larger distances. To make the proposal for more efficient trucks viable, the United Kingdom is conducting a pilot test of the e-Highway, a concept that had already been tested on Swedish highways.

In the United Kingdom’s project, the e-Highway will feature posts scattered across 20 km of the M180 motorway, located near the English city of Scunthorpe, with suspended power cables to touch the pantographs installed on the roofs of trucks and recharge their batteries.

To better understand the United Kingdom’s project, the technology is nearly identical to that used in São Paulo’s trolleybuses, as well as in more modern buses and trains powered by electricity. During the tests, trucks from Scania will be used, equipped with electrical systems produced by Siemens.

Electric Highways Receive Investments of £14.4 Million

The initial investment for the tests is £2 million, almost R$ 14.5 million. If the United Kingdom determines that the system is feasible, installations will be implemented on all motorways by 2030 at a cost of €19 billion.

Although this is a significant amount, the government believes that this investment can be recouped within 15 years through taxes on the electricity consumed. The expectation is that the technology will make the delivery process faster, as trucks won’t need to take breaks to refuel. In addition to the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and the USA have already tested the system.

Electric Trucks from JAC and Volkswagen Promise to Revolutionize the Delivery Market

The e-Delivery truck from Volkswagen comes in two versions, weighing 11 and 14 tons, both with a motor delivering a power of 300 kW with a maximum torque of 2,150. The Volkswagen vehicle’s batteries are 600 V, providing a range of 250 km.

The JAC Motors model has a total weight of 7.5 tons and its motor delivers a power of 177 horsepower and a torque of 122.4 kgfm. Its lithium iron battery of 97 kWh gives the iEV1200T a range of 200 km.