Overhead charging cable management for electric lorries and electric buses at DC and MCS charging points

e-tract DC horizontal: space-saving, safe and easy to use.

The e-tract DC horizontal is an automated overhead charging cable management and cable guidance system for electric lorries, electric coaches and electric buses at DC and MCS charging points. The overhead cable guidance system, which is raised off the ground, keeps the high-power charging cable clear of the driving path, reduces cable damage caused by contact with the ground, being run over and collisions, and supports a safe, protected charging infrastructure in the charging yard , depot or charging park. The charging cable is fed in a straight line or guided selectively from above to the vehicle, so that no additional corridor or lateral pivoting area is required.

The gentle retraction and extension of the charging cable keeps the manoeuvring area clear, improves the flow of traffic at the truck-charging site and maintenance requirements are significantly reduced. It can be installed on trusses, canopies, hall ceilings or as a stand-alone system.

Maximum space for manoeuvring thanks to overhead cable organisation
Low maintenance costs - no cable theft and lower cable wear
Tested in the igus laboratory with over 35,000 cycles

Request e-tract for DC horizontal now

Why overhead cable management is crucial for electric lorries and electric buses

An e-lorry or e-bus charging yard is a high-traffic working environment: tight manoeuvring spaces, time pressure, and operationally critical charging points – downtime costs money instantly. This makes the charging cable a critical component, particularly in terms of handling, safety and traffic flow. Overhead cable management keeps the high-performance charging cable out of the way, guides it in a controlled manner and protects it – which is crucial for three reasons:

More safety

Reduced risk of tripping, crushing and collision, as well as a lower risk of cable damage.

Improved traffic flow

Space for manoeuvring remains clear, with neat cable guidance at the charging point – fewer obstructions and quicker docking/disconnection.

Higher availability

Protected, precisely guided cable. Less wear and tear, fewer unplanned breakdowns and lower maintenance costs.

Tech up

No charging cable and no charging point in the manoeuvring area
No slip ring (charging power > 400kW possible)
No winding movement, no heat build-up

Cost down

Low-maintenance technology
Friction/cable wear minimised

How overhead cable management works

e-tract DC horizontal for electric lorries

Overhead charging cable system is an electrically operated cable management system that guides the charging cable through an overhead cable-guiding system for automated charging processes. The charging cable is guided through a horizontal trough and moved along by a motorised conveyor belt. During movement, it is supported across its entire surface with minimal friction, thereby minimising mechanical stress on the cable. The system features sliding profile rails, ensuring that the cable is moved horizontally through the e-tract DC even more gently.

When required, the charging cable is automatically extended and moved to a defined position at the charging point. Once charging is complete, the cable is checked, carefully retracted and stored safely back in the system. This results in a structured, guided energy transfer without contact with the ground, which keeps the driving and manoeuvring area clear and protects the cable from damage.