DHL Freight, in collaboration with Denmark’s Green Energy Group, has initiated a year-long pilot project in Sweden to assess the effectiveness of vehicle-integrated solar power systems on a fleet of biofuel-powered trucks. The trial involves ten vehicles, specifically from Scania and Volvo, operating on hydrotreated vegetable oil and liquefied biogas. Equipped with solar panels, these trucks aim to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
The pilot focuses on implementing vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) systems, designed to optimize the energy consumption of onboard systems, including cooling units and tail lifts. The project comprises a mix of biofuel trucks: four powered by hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) with 240 W solar setups, and two running on liquefied biogas (LBG) featuring 320 W systems. These vehicles will operate across Sweden, from Luleå in the north to Skåne in the south, with real-time performance data being monitored through a dedicated charge controller and tracking software from Green Energy Group.
Anders Mikkelsen, Strategic Sales Manager at Green Energy Group, expressed enthusiasm for the pilot’s potential to enhance fuel efficiency and reliability for DHL’s alternative fuel fleet. Established in 2015, Green Energy Group specializes in supplying VIPV systems for commercial fleets, boasting an international customer base that includes prominent companies like Arla and DFDS.
DHL Freight Sweden is committed to minimizing greenhouse gas emissions through the adoption of electric vehicles and biofuels. Ylva Öhrnell, Sustainability Manager at DHL Freight Sweden, highlighted the advanced resilience of Green Energy’s solar panels in extreme weather, providing confidence in their performance and benefits throughout the varied Swedish climate.