Technical Project of an Electrified Highway in China

This study introduces the system research and technical demonstration of electrified highway and electric freight vehicle technology worldwide. In combination with China’s highway freight traffic, overload of some vehicles, and the actual electrified technological situation of different traction locomotives in China, a Chinese electrified highway technical solution about dual- or three-source (petrol–electric hybrid) trolley electric truck based on the overhead contact line power supply is proposed. This solution includes the electrification topological structure, highly efficient drive technology, energy intelligent management technology of online charging, intelligent control technology of pantograph, and high-voltage power supply technology meeting the charging demand of heavy duty trucks on the electrified highway. These technologies have solved the key technical problems, such as large flow rate of electric trucks, small actual carrying capacity of the power supply network, and easy trip of wayside substations in China. A small-scale road test has been carried out in Suzhou, China. The study results have important guiding significance for the further research and developmental test and demonstration of electrified highway technology in China.