ElectromobilityStarting signal for the first 'eHighway' in Germany
Trucks with pantographs are to drive on the A5 in real traffic for the first time from 2019. According to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, the test route in Hesse is the first on public roads in Germany. However, hauliers are still reluctant.
The trucks are always powered by an electric motor. On electrified routes, the electric motor is supplied with power via the overhead line. The pantograph transmits the current from the overhead line to the truck's drive system. The trucks also have a diesel engine for non-electrified routes. This engine drives a generator that produces the electricity to drive the electric motor. During overtaking maneuvers or on non-electrified routes, the vehicles can switch to conventional diesel operation or optionally to an energy storage system.