Terren Electric Vehicle, Powered by Solar Energy, Makes History by Climbing the Highest Active Volcano in the World.
The Peak Evolution team, consisting of three members working in Switzerland, drove the Terren solar-powered truck up the western slope of Ojos del Salado in Chile, the highest active volcano on Earth. This marks the first time an electric vehicle has reached an altitude of 6,500 meters above sea level, setting a new milestone for green technology, as reported by Interesting Engineering on December 27.
The Peak Evolution team with the Terren electric vehicle reaching a record height of 6,500m. (Photo: Gebrüder Weiss/Anna Pocinska)
The Terren vehicle used in this expedition is a modified truck based on the Aebi VT450 Transporter from the Swiss company Aebi Schmidt. The trio from Peak Evolution, including Patrik Koller, David Koller, and David Pröschel, developed the Terren prototype as a versatile electric vehicle.
Terren is equipped with a rear-wheel steering system to enhance maneuverability, along with a 90 kWh battery pack that provides a range of up to 200 km. Later production versions may feature a larger 140 kWh battery, increasing the vehicle’s mobility. Swiss battery company EcoVolta contributed to improving the technology for Terren by lowering the nominal voltage from 400 V to 300 V, making it more suitable for high altitudes. A backup system consisting of three parallel battery packs ensures durability, allowing the vehicle to operate continuously even if one pack fails.
The Peak Evolution team uses a combination of solar panels on the roof and ground to maintain power for the electric truck. (Photo: Gebrüder Weiss/Anna Pocinska).
The record-setting journey began about eight weeks ago when the logistics company Gebrüder Weiss transported Terren from Switzerland to the Atacama region of Chile. From there, the Peak Evolution team commenced their trip in the electric truck, starting from the Maricunga salt flat and gradually acclimating to the high-altitude environment of 3,400 meters. The extreme conditions of the world’s highest active volcano not only posed challenges for the high-tech vehicle but also forced the entire team to confront physical and mental difficulties.
At the end of November, the Peak Evolution team reached a significant milestone by surpassing the 6,000-meter mark, breaking the electric vehicle record. About a week later, they achieved a new record at 6,500 meters. After setting the record, the Peak Evolution team plans to continue testing and developing the vehicle, aiming for commercialization.
