A solar-electric 4×4 truck has driven to 21,325 feet above sea level to set a new world altitude record for e-vehicles. The Gebrüder Weiss Peak Evolution Team got it done to claim the honor. The truck is a Terren Electric Drive Systems-prepped Aebi VT450 transporter and it’s a fascinating machine.

Highest Summit Elevation on Earth

The Gebrüder Weiss Peak Evolution Team drove up the western ridge of Ojos del Salado. This volcano has the highest summit elevation on earth. The three-person team included seasoned mountaineers who climbed Ojos del Salado for the first time in 2019. During the climb they explored the rocky terrain and experienced the high altitude. Scouting missions allowed the team to plot a drivable route for the truck. They also proved that the team could cope with the low oxygen level and the extreme freezing conditions. After the e-truck was prepped, Gebrüder Weiss transported it from Switzerland via Rotterdam and then by sea freight to Chile. Another overland transport took the truck to the Atacama region. Logistics partner and main sponsor Gebrüder Weiss has been on board since the very beginning. Not only did the company ensure the vehicle arrived safely in South America, but it also co-financed the venture.

Exploratory Tours and a Record

The Peak Evolution team started at the Maricunga salt lake with exploratory tours and acclimatization at an elevation of over 11,000 feet. The extreme terrain and environmental conditions of the world’s highest volcano not only put the high-tech vehicle to the test, but also strained the team physically and mentally. The three adventurers reached the first milestone at the end of November, breaking the record for e-vehicles by surpassing the 19,685-foot barrier. One week later, they reached the goal of 21,325 feet above sea level. And they reached the western ridge of Ojos del Salado using nothing but solar power. It’s notable that there have been previous record attempts by vehicles with internal combustion engines. Some of the challenges related to using combustion engines include the loss of engine power at altitude and limited fuel supply.

Modified Aebi VT450 Transporter

The Peak Evolution truck is a modified Aebi VT450 transporter. The four-wheel-drive, four-wheel-steer truck was converted from a diesel powertrain to an electric powertrain by Terren Electric Drive Systems. One of the benefits of an electric drivetrain is no power loss at altitude as with an internal combustion engine. The downside of an electric powertrain for a remote trip such as this is that there are no chargers on the volcano. That’s where the truck’s solar charging came in. More on that in a moment. On the back of the truck is an “extra stiff,” thermally insulated lightweight box. This box pulls double duty as a place for the team to rest and for transport of equipment. The box is constructed of extremely light, rigid, and heat-insulating composite panels. To avoid stress fractures during hard off-road use, all joints are made with adhesive only.

Dual Motors and a Modified Transmission

Instead of a diesel engine, the Peak Evolution truck has a pair of Bosch 120 kW synchronous motors, giving it 240 kW of power. Each can spin at 12,000 rpm and the weight of each is approximately 143 pounds including the inverter. The motors and the collective gearbox developed in-house form the core of the vehicle. The transmission has been improved in efficiency and optimized for electric propulsion. Fun fact: When compared to the diesel powertrain, the electric unit is half the weight, 70 percent more efficient and 20 percent more powerful. The truck has a 124-mile range and almost 2,100 lb-ft of torque at the wheels.

Large Tires and Dual Winches

Standard road tires were used during the approach to the volcano. However, special 42-inch-diameter “Super Tacky Offroad” tires were used on the mountain. The larger tires were chosen because of the rugged terrain and because traction was critical. The larger tires offered more contact surface, and they had a soft and robust rubber compound, as well as a profile, that worked well on stone and sand. In case the truck needed some help in the rugged terrain, it was fitted with a pair of 9-ton hydraulic winches. The two winches from Horn Tools can be attached to different positions on the vehicle and are used for recovery and securing the truck if necessary.

90 kW Battery System and Solar Panels

The truck has a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery system that generates 300V. Fun fact: At high altitude the electric resistance of air decreases and the insulation gaps inside the power electronics would have to be widened. For that reason, the nominal voltage was dropped from 400V to 300V. The three battery packs are provided by EcoVolta, a Swiss company. The batteries are insulated and located in a temperature-regulated case. Additionally, the packs run parallel to provide redundancy in case one pack is damaged. Ojos del Salado is approximately 180 miles from civilization, so the truck had to be self-sufficient. The answer is a solar charging system. There are panels permanently installed on the roof and another array are mobile during sunny hours. The total output of the solar system is 7.4 kWp. The system can add 93 miles of range to the truck in about 5 hours.

Charging System and Converters

The truck has a unique DC coupled charging system. It greatly reduces energy losses due to transformation. Its efficiency is an impressive 90 percent, and it provides triple redundancy in case of component failure. It has three Brusa BSC614 bi-directional DC/DC converters which boost the 24V solar side to the 300V vehicle side. AC power is provided by a Studer Innotec AJ2400 inverter. The truck’s electrical system can provide plenty of power for things like power tools, computers, and filming equipment.

Culmination of Years of Training

“This is a record not only for this technology, but for our years of research work and for the very future of mobility,” says Patrik Koller, CEO, and developer at Peak Evolution. “Despite these extreme conditions, our specially developed vehicle managed to drive higher than any other e-vehicle – let alone a solar-powered one. We have been training for this moment for four years, so giving up was never an option.” With the world record in the bag, the Peak Evolution team is now heading back to Switzerland, with Gebrüder Weiss ensuring that the record-breaking vehicle also makes it safely back to Europe.

The Bottom Line

The Peak Evolution truck is the result of an idea to build an electric multipurpose vehicle for municipal services, agriculture, and the mining industry. The company analyzed currently available technology and the economic factors of electric vehicles and concluded it could build an economically competitive and technically superior product. To accomplish this goal DDP Innovation was founded in 2018. The idea to beat the current world altitude record for land vehicles was derived from the company’s love of mountaineering and its intention to showcase the capability of the truck’s technology. The expedition vehicle is not a custom-made product without timely benefits. In fact, following the expedition, the vehicle can be used and tested directly in real operation with only minor adjustments. This makes Peak Evolution a contemporary expedition with practical benefits.