Solar cells on trucks for environmentally friendly transports

Purpose and goal:

One of the biggest challenges for the future is to reduce CO2 emissions from fossil fuels from vehicles. Solar cells could be used to partially power trucks and in this project we will test a truck with solar cells for a longer period of time in operation in real missions to get closer to a commercial solution. In the project, we will also focus on implementing the truck from a user perspective, and develop solutions that provide a more efficient and production-friendly truck. The overall goal is to achieve more environmentally friendly truck transports.

Expected results and effects:

We expect that the effect of the use of the solution in the project is a significant reduction in the use of diesel and reduction of CO2 emissions. Estimated reduction in diesel use in Sweden is approx. 5-10% of fuel consumption per vehicle and in southern Europe this reduction can be significantly greater (approx. 20% less fuel consumption). We expect that the project´s solution, in addition to environmental benefits, will also generate economic value, partly through reduced fuel costs, and partly through new innovations based on the solutions in the project.

Approach and implementation:

The project lasts for two years, and we have divided the project into work packages (APs) for the different parts of the project and who will do what and when this will be done; AP1 project management, AP2 test of systems in operation, AP3 solar energy from the truck in a larger system, AP4 development of solar cells for trucks, AP5 business logic, policy and regulations, AP6 dissemination of results. The project includes research (Uppsala Universitet), vehicle manufacturer (Scania), solar cell manufacturer (Midsummer), transport development (Glasir), and users (Ernsts Express).