Largest electric vehicle in the world unveiled at Swiss quarry
Designers say the massive truck will save massive amounts of energy.
Keystone
The biggest electric vehicle in the world was unveiled on Friday in the quarry of Vigier cement works near the Swiss town of Bienne. It is expected to save record amounts of CO2 emissions.
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Vigier CEO Lukas Epple said the vehicle, designed in collaboration with specialized technical schools and industrial partners, was the product of “pioneering spirit”.
The E-Dumper named “Lynx” weighs 58 tonnes empty, with tyres measuring two metres in diameter and nine steps up to the drivers’ cabin. It was built from a diesel-powered dump truck. The fuel tank was replaced by the biggest battery ever made for an electric vehicle, which weighs 4.5 tonnes.
As well as its enormous size, the truck is expected to save enormous amounts of CO2. Carrying an estimated 300,000 tonnes of material, provisional estimates say it should save up to 1,300 tonnes of CO2 and 500,000 litres of diesel fuel over the next decade.
“Lynx” was designed to carry limestone and sedimentary rock from a mining region at altitude to a processing plant lower down. During the descent with a full load, the battery is recharged by converting the energy from braking. The electricity produced allows the driver to climb back up the hill with the truck empty.
Its designers therefore say its energy consumption is zero. A study of its operations in the coming months will allow a more precise evaluation in terms of energy. The project is supported by the Swiss Federal Office of EnergyExternal link.
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