First test for new solar-powered Scania hybrid truck

The solar energy decreases operational costs and local emissions significantly because of the truck’s self-produced energy.

“Never before have solar panels been used to generate energy to a truck’s powertrain like we do in this collaboration. This natural energy source can significantly decrease emissions in the transport sector. It is great to be at the forefront in the development of the next generation’s trucks,” says Stas Krupenia, Head of the Research Office at Scania.

The truck is used in a research project to examine the generated solar energy, and how much carbon emissions decrease via the solar panels. The researchers developed new, efficient, and lightweight solar panels for trucks. They also study how trucks can interact with the power grid, and bring forward new models for what will happen if several trucks like this one are connected to the power grid.

“This is an exciting project where academia and industry together try to decrease the climate impact from truck transports. The results from this unique truck will be very interesting,” says Erik Johansson, Project Manager and Professor of physical chemistry at Uppsala University.

The truck’s 18-metre trailer is almost completely covered in solar panels, equivalent to a house equipped with similarly powerful panels. The solar energy gives the hybrid truck a prolonged driving range of up to 5000km annually in Sweden. In countries like Spain or Australia, with more sun hours, the vehicle can double the amount of solar energy, and thus driving range, compared to Sweden.

The project also includes researched on new, lightweight tandem solar cells, that are based on a combination of Midsummer’s solar cells and new perovskite solar cells. These enable a higher efficiency in the transformation of sunlight to electricity. Such a solution could double the solar energy generation, compared to the current energy generated by the panels.

“Our research towards efficient and light solar cells will be truly important, especially when it comes to applying them in future trucks,” Johansson said.

“Our solar panels are excellent for commercial vehicle applications,” said Erik Olsson, Head of Corporate Development, Midsummer. “We see great potential to decrease the emissions from heavy vehicles with electrification. Electricity generated by solar panels will save fuel and carbon emissions.” He added.

The truck will now be tested by operating on public roads by the haulage company Ernsts Express. “The whole industry is facing big challenges in general, and with fuel in particular. Electrification from renewable electricity is the future. It makes this project even greater for the green haulage company to be a part of,” said Lars Evertsson, CEO Ernsts Express.

The solar powered truck has been developed in a research project party funded by government agency of innovation Vinnova, to develop trucks with low climate impact thanks to solar energy. The truck is a 560hp plug-in hybrid.

On the 18-metre trailer, an area of 100 square meters is covered by thin, lightweight and flexible solar panels with a maximum efficiency of 13.2kWp (kilowatt peak). They are estimated to deliver 8000kWh annually when operated in Sweden.

The batteries have a total capacity of 300kWh, with 100kWh on the truck and 200kWh on the trailer.