Germany: Electric Utility Vehicle Manufacturer Tropos to Test Photovoltaics on Box Bodies

Tropos Motors Europe, the Germany-based manufacturer of electric utility vehicles, will test vehicle-integrated photovoltaic technology on the box bodies of the Tropos ABLE models in a pilot project starting this month. The aim is to make the compact transport vehicles of the series, which are also suitable for amusement parks and zoos, almost independent of external power sources in the future and to significantly increase the range through permanent self-supply with solar energy. The supplier even expects to produce a surplus of electricity that can be used to charge other vehicles or end devices and batteries, e.g. for chainsaws or hedge trimmers. The photovoltaic elements are to replace existing superstructure elements of the electric transporters and will thus be fully integrated into the superstructures without increasing the weight.

”We expect this solution to be nothing less than a revolution in the market for electric utility vehicles. Initial tests suggest that it could work. Now we are thoroughly testing the technology in real-world operations for performance and further potential applications. We want to analyse in full what benefits the solar panels can have for our customers,“ says Markus Schrick, Managing Director of Tropos Motors Europe. (eap)