Volvo subsidiary Mack Trucks has demonstrated a PHEV truck that can recharge by means of an overhead catenary. The prototype Mack Pinnacle DayCab recently participated in a one-mile, zero-emission eHighway demonstration in Carson, California, near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The goal of the project, which is sponsored by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, is to reduce air pollution at freight-intensive locations, such as the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the two largest ports in the US.

Siemens installed the eHighway infrastructure, which covers one mile of highway lanes with a catenary system similar to those used to power trolleys or streetcars. The Mack truck can connect to the overhead contact lines and transfer energy to the truck’s electric driveline thanks to a current collector supplied by Siemens, allowing it to operate with zero tailpipe emissions on the eHighway corridor.

“Mack continuously investigates alternative solutions to diesel, and the catenary system is just one of a number of projects in which we are currently involved,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack’s Senior VP of North American Sales.

Source: Mack