The Peak Evolution team from Austrian logistics specialist Gebrüder Weiss achieved a historic milestone in electric vehicle performance by pushing the boundaries of high-altitude testing. Their solar-powered truck ascended to 6,500 meters on the western flank of Ojos del Saldo, the globe’s highest active volcano, situated in Chile. This ambitious expedition demonstrates the practical potential of clean-energy transport in extreme environments and adds a compelling chapter to the story of electrified logistics across challenging terrains.
CEO and innovator Patrick Koller of Peak Evolution framed the achievement as more than a technical record. He highlighted the collaboration of years of field research and the promise of alternative propulsion systems for demanding operations, including mining and other rugged supply routes. The milestone, he noted, will help attract attention to electric drives and their role in advancing safer, more efficient mobility in harsh conditions.
The journey began with careful planning and multiple stages. The electric truck was first shipped from Switzerland to Chile by sea, then transported by road into the Atacama region. The ascent started at the Maricunga salt flat, where the crew spent several days acclimatizing to high altitude and testing how the vehicle performed in thinner air and intense solar exposure. The careful acclimatization process helped the team understand real-world constraints and refine operational strategies for extended climbs.
According to Peak Evolution, the expedition served as the ultimate field test for reliability and autonomy. On volcanic slopes, the truck relies exclusively on solar energy for charging, a scenario that underscores the importance of energy efficiency, solar harvesting, and robust power management in remote operations. These insights are especially relevant for regions in North America where remote logistics, mining, and disaster-response missions demand resilient, solar-assisted electric solutions.
Looking ahead, the team is already setting ambitious goals for 2024, with plans to bring an electric truck to Greenland. The Arctic environment will pose new challenges in terms of wind, cold temperatures, and solar availability, testing thermal management, battery performance, and energy strategy under extreme conditions. The ongoing work with Peak Evolution signals a broader shift in the logistics industry toward sustainable, high-performance electric mobility in the most demanding settings.
In a broader market context, the conversation around electric mobility has grown with other global players introducing their own electric models and specialty vehicles. The insights drawn from such extreme expeditions feed into improved battery technology, charging strategies, and vehicle reliability. As the industry expands into North American operations, the learnings from the Chilean ascent offer a practical blueprint for electrified supply chains that seek to reduce emissions while maintaining capability in challenging environments.