6 minute read
News Briefs: Electrifi cation
Several electric truck and heavy equipment models are now available for order and set to begin production in 2021.
by Sara Jensen
Development of electric vehicles and equipment is nothing new. However, there has been increased activity in this area in recent years as technology has matured and costs have come down. As such, many OEMs are ready to begin bringing their electric-powered solutions to market.
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), for instance, announced in mid2020 it would begin taking orders for its ECR25 and L25 electric machines. Orders are currently being taken in North America and several European countries, with the fi rst deliveries of production machines expected in June 2021 (learn more, 21198350).
Sister brand Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) began taking orders for its VNR Electric, which has been undergoing real-world testing as part of the Volvo LIGHTS project in California, in December. It will begin producing the trucks at its facility in Dublin, VA, in early 2021.
The Volvo VNR Electric is designed for customer applications and driving cycles with local and regional distribution ranges, including food and beverage and pick-up and delivery routes. The 264-kWh lithium-ion batteries, which charge up to 80% within 70 minutes, have an operating range of up to 150 mi. (241.4 km) based on the truck’s confi guration. Advanced battery chemistries deliver increased power at reduced costs, while self-learning controls optimize energy usage. Regenerative braking can increase range by returning power, up to 15%, back into the battery, depending on the duty
Production for the VNR Electric is slated to begin in early 2021.
cycle. According to VTNA, cutting-edge battery monitoring technology relays the state of health for the energy source in real time, streamlining service needs and maximizing uptime (learn more, 21208147).
Meanwhile, the global Volvo Trucks organization announced it plans to off er a complete range of electric heavy-duty trucks in Europe starting in 2021 (learn more, 21201831).
Component availability is key
An important aspect for any vehicle or equipment design—and particularly electric vehicles—is ensuring the right components are used for the application. Introduction of new components developed specifi cally for electric vehicles and equipment has been a key enabler to these vehicles’ entry into the marketplace (see pg. 16 to learn more).
Many OEMs have formed partnerships with component suppliers who have also been focusing their research and development eff orts on electrifi cation solutions. Doing so helps to ensure components utilized are optimized for use in an electric-powered vehicle which has diff erent characteristics from traditionally powered ones.
PACCAR, for instance, has announced partnerships with both Meritor and Dana—companies which have introduced several electric drivetrain components in recent years. Meritor was selected as the initial launch partner and primary supplier for the integration of functional battery-electric systems on the Peterbilt 579EV and 520EV trucks, both of which are now available for order (learn more, 21204331 and 21201483).
Both Peterbilt electric trucks use Meritor’s 14Xe e-axles which provide power to the wheels. Electric motors in the e-axles are capable of capturing regenerative braking energy to help re-
Daimler’s “Electric Island” will provide charging for up to nine electric trucks, and help the company evaluate fl eet charging needs.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
charge the trucks’ batteries and extend vehicle range.
New components continue entering the market, as well, which will further aid vehicle and equipment designs. The UK-based company Equipmake recently introduced two new electric motors, one of which was designed specifi cally for off -highway equipment. The APM electric motor utilizes a spoke architecture to optimize cooling which helps the motor to produce more power and torque (learn more, 21197265 and 21206211).
Charging infrastructure will also be a vital component to the uptake of electric vehicles. Because of this, many OEMs are doing their part to help expand charging infrastructure. Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) recently announced it will co-develop “Electric Island”, a large public charging site for medium- and heavy-duty electric commercial vehicles. It is designed to support up to nine vehicle charging stations with charging levels of up to greater than 1 megawatt by spring 2021.
According to DTNA, Electric Island will help inform the company’s work in commercial electric vehicle development as well as its partner in the project Portland General Electric’s (PGE) work in meeting customer charging needs (learn more, 21205603).
Equipment manufacturer JCB recently announced it was expanding its line of electric-powered equipment. As part of of that introduction, the company has also developed a rapid Universal Charger which is designed to be compatible with its current and future E-TECH electric models.
Working with machine electrical systems from 48-96V and above, the JCB Universal Charger off ers customers to further our understanding of how commercial battery-electric trucks will be part of a long-term solution Richard Howard, Senior Vice President, vation of these trucks, and together we
The JCB Universal Charger off ers customers an off -board rapid-charging solution, allowing them to extend working capability with battery-electric construction and industrial machinery.
JCB
The Mack LR Electric will be put to the test in New York City which has one of the world’s largest sanitation departments.
an off -board rapid-charging solution, allowing them to extend working capability with battery electric construction and industrial machinery. All JCB E-TECH equipment is supplied from the factory with a standard built-in charger and rapid charger preparation.
Testing remains integral part of the equation
Though new electric vehicles and equipment are beginning to enter the marketplace, there is still a long way to go in the realm of electrifi cation. Real-world testing will continue to be a necessary part of the process, especially as manufacturers look to further optimize current designs and expand the types of vehicles and applications in which their technology can be used.
With production for the Mack LR Electric slated to begin in 2021, Mack Trucks announced in October pre-production models would undergo in-service trials with Republic Services. This will help the company get better insight into how the vehicle performs in demanding refuse applications. The truck is powered by four batteries and features a powertrain which delivers 4,051 lb.-ft. (5,492.4 Nm) of torque available from 0 rpm (learn more, 21197124).
Southern California Edison (SCE) recently took delivery of a Freightliner eCascadia, a Class 8 battery-electric truck, which it will use for material transport for 3 months.
“It’s critical that we collaborate with
MACK TRUCKS
in CO2-neutral transportation,” said On-Highway Sales and Marketing, Daimler Trucks North America, in a press release announcing the test project (learn more, 21204349). “Our customers provide important, continuous feedback that contributes to our ongoing design and purposeful innocustomers across multiple segments
will lead the future.” |
Head to the Web
Read an extended version of this article and related content at oemoff highway.com. Renault Trucks Delivers Electric Trucks to Swiss Brewer Carlsberg Search: 21205611 Implementing Electric Work Trucks Search: 21136298 Thomas Built Buses Delivers Battery-Electric School Buses Search: 21202055 Mercedes-Benz to Only Source Battery Cells with Cobalt and Lithium Search: 21204325 Volvo Focuses on Electrifi cation and Emissions Reduction Strategy Search: 21203695 Visit oemoff highway.com/trends/ electrifi cation for even more Electrifi cation content.
