The first stretch of electric motorway was inaugurated on 22 June in the province of Gästrikland, Sweden. A section of the E16, the road connecting Sweden to Norway, specifically between Kungsgården and Sandviken.

2 kilometres along which hybrid heavy goods vehicles will be powered by electricity, just as trolleybuses are today. The trial, which will last two years, will help to understand the potential of the technology developed over the years by Scania and Siemens, and to test the electric motorway under every weather condition.

"I am incredibly proud of the E16 electric motorway project, and now we are truly at the forefront of the fight against climate change," declared Eva Lindberg, president of the region, at the inauguration. "The E16 is a symbol of environmental protection, quality of life, cooperation and innovation."

8 million investment. 80 per cent fewer emissions

The programme was funded with 8 million euros from the Swedish energy and transport departments and with just over 5 million from Scania and Siemens. The aim is to develop a system for electrifying the country's major arterial roads, drastically reducing emissions and fossil fuel consumption. Indeed, according to tests already carried out, it is estimated that it is possible to reduce heavy traffic emissions by 80 per cent.

A crucial trial, particularly for the transport sector, which continues to grow both in volume and in emissions across Europe. Transport remains in fact the only sector still recording a positive figure in the overall count.

How will the electric motorway work?

The system works much like a trolleybus. The heavy goods vehicles are fitted with an adjustable pantograph that connects to the two poles of the electric cables positioned above the vehicle. As soon as the connection is made, the lorry's engine switches to electric power, drawing energy from the grid. The electric supply can be disconnected at any moment, particularly if the lorry needs to overtake or simply change lane: in that case the articulated lorry will run on its combustion engine.

"We now know that it is possible to build this type of infrastructure on public roads, and it is time to study how vehicles and these systems respond to normal weather and traffic conditions," said Magnus Ernström, head of the project. "Naturally, the E16 electric motorway will be of benefit to all those companies that wish to have a sustainable fleet independent of fossil fuels."