A Swiss development team has established a new world record for electric vehicles by driving a solar-powered electric truck to an impressive altitude of 6,500 meters on Ohis del Salado in Chile. This groundbreaking achievement was made possible with the support and financing provided by Austrian logistics company Gebrüder Weiss, which facilitated the transportation of the vehicle from Switzerland to Chile.
According to Gebrüder Weiss, the Peak Evolution team commenced their expedition at the Maricunga salt lake, initiating exploratory tours and acclimatization on the mountain at an elevation of 3,400 meters. The extreme terrain and environmental conditions of the world’s highest volcano posed rigorous challenges, testing both the high-tech vehicle and the driver team under “extreme physical and mental strain.”
Frank Haas, Head of Corporate Brand Strategy & Communications at Gebrüder Weiss, expressed the company’s commitment to the future of mobility, stating, “As the oldest transport and logistics company, we are committed to the future of mobility. This success underlines our ongoing support for sustainable mobility projects and innovative technologies. We are delighted for the team and will now bring the record-breaking vehicle safely back to Switzerland.”
Patrik Koller, CEO and developer at Peak Evolution, highlighted the significance of the achievement, stating, “Despite these extreme conditions, our specially developed vehicle managed to drive higher than any other e-vehicle – let alone a solar-powered one.”
See also: Volkswagen ID.4 Sets New Guinness World Record with reaches highest altitude (5,816 meters) by an EV
Looking ahead, Gebrüder Weiss has additional plans for the record-breaking vehicle, as the company mentioned, “January will see a dress rehearsal of the Austrian Space Forum’s Mars mission take place at the Gebrüder Weiss site in Maria Lanzendorf near Vienna.”
