At the end of this year, two Dutch adventurers will drive 2,300 km in a solar-powered vehicle to the South Pole to make a statement about alternative energy sources and to inspire youth all over the world to contribute to a more sustainable way of life. The project fits perfectly with the goal of Cat Lift Trucks to continuously improve working environments and to reduce fuel emissions. Cat Lift Trucks has sponsored the crucial test phase of this project, enabling transportation of the vehicle to Finland and providing a test area near its premises in Järvenpää.The project
Two Dutch professional adventurers, Wilco van Rooijen and Fokke van Velzen, developed a plan to build a sustainable, solar-powered SUV which will take them from Patriot Hills (a field camp on the Antarctic) to the South Pole and back. Through this 2,300 Km journey, , the adventurers aim to draw to attention to both the continent and the energy source. First, the Antarctic is currently protected from oil drilling by The Antarctic Treaty. However, this treaty will end in 2048, leaving an uncertain future for the continent. That's the second objective of the mission - to inspire youth to focus on the subject of sustainability. As the decision-makers of tomorrow, they will become crucial in creating a world that can survive with alternative energy sources and can avoid damaging our beautiful planet.
Television programs and special training materials have been developed for an extensive communication program to accompany the expedition.
The adventurers asked the University of Applied Sciences in Utrecht, the Netherlands, to design and build a vehicle for their special needs. The exhaustive requirements represent a significant challenge to any group of aspiring engineers. Within the timelines of the project, there was one very crucial phase: the testing of the first prototype in an environment as close to the Antarctic climate as possible.
Cat Lift Trucks offered support to the expedition by arranging shipment to Finland, where it has a manufacturing site for warehouse equipment. On-site support with loading/unloading services and electrical energy was provided as well. Six students left for the
Cat Lift Trucks factory in cold Finland in February to perform an extreme test program, which needed to serve as input for the development of the final vehicle.
The car was tested for driveability, steering, speed, braking and other vital functions. Testing also covered the regenerative braking system, which turns kinetic energy back into electrical energy. Naturally, several types of surfaces where tried and tried again.
The test results will be incorporated into the final vehicle. By the end of the year, the vehicle should be ready, after which Wilco and Fokke will be able to travel to the Antarctic. Their progress can be followed on
www.teamantarctica.nl.
The support from Cat Lift Trucks
A project like this cannot happen without support from the private sector.
Cat Lift Trucks is proud to be associated with this adventure, especially considering the aims of the overall project. Sustainability is not just a phrase in a mission statement. Caterpillar, the mother organisation, states clearly that it wants to encourage change by leveraging technology and innovation to enable customers to use resources more efficiently. This objective results in broad goals like minimising the use of energy, materials, water and land, maximizing recycling, minimising emissions and optimising the use of renewable resources.
Each division within the Caterpillar organization adheres in its own way to these goals.
Cat Lift Trucks, a joint venture of Caterpillar, developed a company-wide approach to make its products and activities more environmentally friendly. Examples include:
- As part of the ISO 14001 certification, goals are set for reducing the overall waste and the non-recyclable waste per truck produced;
- Reduced emissions within the production process itself, like less usage of paint and solvents thanks to the usage of high solidity paint or the recycling of thinners;
- Developing advanced Health & Safety programs;
- Streamlining transportation in order to reduce emissions;
- Developing eco-settings on diesel lift trucks;
- Making sure all products meet the most stringent regulations on emissions, like Stage IIIA of the EC exhaust emissions directive 97/68/EC;
- Optional available biodegradable hydraulic oil to help customers meet environmental targets;
- Increasing the number of recyclable components of lift trucks.
Product development of
Cat Lift Trucks is continuously looking at alternative energy sources for lift trucks and at reducing emissions to a minimum.
By sponsoring projects like Antarctica 2.0, Cat Lift Trucks also aims to increase awareness about the environment among future generations.
For further information regarding Cat Lift Trucks and/or this sponsoring project, please contact:Monica Escutia
Senior Marketing Communications Coordinator
Cat Lift Trucks EAME.t: +31 (0)36 5494 328
e: monica.escutia@mcfe.nl
w: www.catlifttruck.com