Hitachi Vantara Hits the Road with Solar-Powered Trucks

You’ve heard of electric and hybrid vehicles, well, Hitachi Vantara is exploring the use of solar energy for our fleet of delivery trucks. Our European Distribution Center recently teamed with Netherlands-based IM Efficiency to install the company’s SolarOnTop technology on three long-haul shipping trucks in a proof of concept that, if proven successful, could be spread across our global fleet.

Although EVs are gaining momentum with consumers and certain industries, they’re not an optimal choice for long-distance delivery, primarily due to challenges with charging and range. But the addition of solar could dramatically boost energy efficiency of our diesel-powered trucks’, while saving money and helping lower carbon emissions.

For example, long-haul truck drivers routinely camp in their cabs while on the road. To power their electrical devices, from lights and heater to appliances like the radio and TV, they must leave their engines idling. The SolarOnTop system, however, is equipped with its own lithium battery, to which all electrical devices are connected. Now sleepy drivers will be able to pull over, shut down, and watch their favorite TV program in warmth and comfort, all without having to keep the motor running.

To measure the success of the trial, we’re working with Rhenus High Tech, market leader for technical distribution, to monitor, manage, and analyze the energy usage and data in real-time. And although we won’t know exactly how efficient the solar system is until we receive a couple of months’ worth of data, we believe we’re on the road to more sustainable trucking and delivery. If projections are correct, we may be able to save up to 2,000 liters of fuel per vehicle, per year. That alone would amount to a CO2 savings of about 7 tons, per vehicle, per year.

This is just the latest of many examples of how we’ve taken sustainability to heart at Hitachi Vantara and are leaving no stone unturned in our quest to be carbon neutral by 2030.