DHL Freight Sweden is piloting solar panels on ten trucks running from Luleå to Skåne to boost energy efficiency. The trucks, powered by HVO and LBG fuels, are fitted with Green Energy’s thin-film CIGS solar panels to run cooling units and tail lifts, cutting alternator load, fuel use, and CO₂ emissions.
Eight trucks carry 240 Wp systems, and two have 320 Wp panels, all monitored in real time via Green Energy’s Fleet Tracker software. Previous diesel fleet trials showed 4–7% fuel and emissions reductions.
Sustainability Manager Ylva Öhrnell said, “This pilot is another step toward greener transport.”
However, research shows solar on heavy trucks has limits. SolarMoves found panels cover just 2–4% of energy needs, with long-haul trucks benefiting least due to constant motion and shading. Still, wider adoption could save 27 TWh of electricity by 2030.