South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has selected Siemens to install an eHighway system close to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Siemens eHighway is the electrification of handpicked highway lanes through a catenary system.
Siemens will install a two-way, one-mile catenary system that is established with different battery-electric and hybrid trucks.
The purpose of the installation is to lower fossil fuel consumption, reduce smog-forming, carbon emissions, and lower operating costs.
The project installation will commence as soon as the infrastructure is commissioned and first truck is integrated to begin the one year demo in July 2015.
The infrastructure is installed on the North and South-bound sections of Alameda Street where it intersects with Sepulveda Boulevard in Carson, California.
Siemens in collaboration with Volvo’s Mack Trucks brand is developing a demonstration vehicle for the project. Up to four trucks will run for the demonstration, making multiple drives per day.
The demonstration project will evaluate the technology, allied with the truck manufacturing industry. This demonstration intends to generate an information base for future system expansion to commercial applications.
Siemens in collaboration with Volvo’s Mack Trucks brand is developing a demonstration vehicle for the project. Up to four trucks will run for the demonstration, making multiple drives per day.
These comparatively busy ports will benefit from the eHighway system, reducing emissions from trucks, said, Matthias Schlelein, president, Siemens Mobility and Logistics division,U.S.
The economic sense of the eHighway system is compelling for similar polluted and highly-travelled places, added Schlelein.
“This project will help us evaluate the feasibility of a zero-emission cargo movement system using overhead catenaries,” said Barry Wallerstein, executive officer, SCAQMD.
Siemens will also install current collectors to help trucks in connecting and disconnecting from the catenary system at any speed.
In addition, the eHighway vehicles will use an electric drive system powered by diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG) or battery when driving outside of the catenary lines to ensure continuity.
SCAQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, the most polluted region in the nation.