The Vorarlberg logistics professional Gebrüder Weiss has set a new record: no one has ever driven an electric truck to such lofty heights as the team.
At 6,500 meters above sea level, the Gebrüder Weiss Peak Evolution team has set a new altitude world record for electric vehicles. Their exclusively solar-powered electric truck drove to the western ridge of the Ojos del Salado – the highest active volcano on earth (Chile). Never before has an electrified vehicle achieved such heights. “This is a record for technology, for our years of research work and for the future of mobility,” says Patrik Koller, board member and developer at Peak Evolution. “We hope that this success will generate more attention for alternative drives and their use in mining or other demanding transport tasks.” The supporter since day one has been logistics partner and main sponsor Gebrüder Weiss. The company not only ensured the vehicle’s safe arrival in South America, but also co-financed the innovative venture. “As the oldest transport and logistics company, we are committed to the future of mobility,” says Frank Haas, marketing manager at Gebrüder Weiss. “This success underlines our ongoing support for sustainable mobility projects and innovative technologies. We are happy for the team and will now bring the record-breaking vehicle safely back to Switzerland.”Acclimatization on the salt lake The spectacular mission began two months ago: Gebrüder Weiss transported the electric truck from Switzerland via Rotterdam and then by sea freight to Chile. Another land transport brought the solar truck to the Atacama region. At the Maricunga salt lake at 3,400 meters, the Peak Evolution team started with its first exploration tours and acclimatization on the mountain. The extreme terrain and climatic conditions of the highest volcano on earth not only put the high-tech vehicle to the test, but also exposed the team to extreme physical and psychological stress. “Despite these extreme conditions, we managed to drive higher with our specially developed vehicle than any electric vehicle has ever done – let alone a solar-powered one,” says Patrik Koller, board member and developer at Peak Evolution, summarizing the project. “We have been training for this moment for four years, giving up was never an option.”New record reached At the end of November, the three adventurers reached the first milestone: by crossing the 6,000 meter mark, they broke the record for electric vehicles. A week later they reached 6,500 m above sea level – the absolute record of their mission. They reached the western ridge of Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano on earth, using only solar power. With the world record in their luggage, the Peak Evolution team is now heading back to Switzerland. Gebrüder Weiss is making sure that the record-breaking vehicle gets back to Europe safely.
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