Where should the motors go on electric truck axles?
There are three options currently being used for motor placement in an electric powertrain: centralized direct drive solutions, centralized motor with a gearbox or deep reduction axle gearing, or an e-axle in which the motor is placed directly onto the axle itself. According to Steve Slesinski, director of global product planning for Dana, the latter
Penske Truck Leasing joins CharIN alliance
Penske Truck Leasing has joined the Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN), a worldwide industry alliance focused on promoting Combined Charging System (CCS) as the global standard for charging electric vehicles (EVs) of all types. Penske says it will focus its attention on helping to promote electric vehicle charging standards for commercial vehicles in North America by
Nikola Motor Co. raises $100 million
With a $1.1 billion pre-money valuation, Nikola Motor Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Trevor Milton, announced that he anticipates the $200 million C round will be oversubscribed with more than $100 million already raised and funded this month. “Nikola’s business model has been vetted, and the investment world is taking notice,” Milton said as he rattled off
Roush CleanTech enters the electric vehicle market
As a provider of alternative fuel vehicle technology, Roush CleanTech is best known for its propane autogas and compressed natural gas fuel systems for medium-duty commercial vehicles. Recently, the company expanded its alternative fuel portfolio with an all-electric version of the Ford F-650. Built on the OEM’s chassis, Roush CleanTech’s fully electric vehicles have a
Truck electrification: ‘You’re not late, but you’re not early’
As electrification makes its way into heavy-duty truck drivelines, the integration of the truck’s components will go even deeper than we see in today’s powertrains. It’s a result of moving to one electrical-power infrastructure as opposed to today’s trucks, which draw from diesel power to provide electrical energy. “Any type of all-electric vehicle is its
The fuel of the future? How hydrogen trucks could get their infrastructure
Many alternative energies are exciting to dream about, but you go crashing back to reality when confronted with one word: infrastructure. The “how” of putting together a network of charging stations for electric cars and trucks or hydrogen fueling stations is always much more difficult than the “how” of making those trucks available in the
More medium-duty electric trucks are coming to market
When Mark Smith, program manager of technology integration with the Vehicle Technologies Office at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, spoke on the subject of fleet electrification at the recent Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference, part of his presentation covered the 21st Century Truck Partnership. The 21CTP, he noted,
More than a truck: Daimler unveils its electric strategy
Roger Nielsen steps out of the Thomas Built all-electric Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus and stands in front of more than one hundred analysts and media representatives to make the biggest product announcement since he took the position of Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) president and CEO. He shakes Martin Daum’s hand as Martin hands him
Driving the future: Volvo is bringing its first electric trucks to market in Europe—and says this is only the beginning
It’s starting to rain a little bit here in Gothenburg, Sweden. In the cab of this particular truck that fact is more noticeable than it would normally be, because the sound of the rain is actually louder than the sound of the idling truck itself. Yes, this Class 7 truck, this behemoth refuse collection tool,
Daimler Trucks North America announces Freightliner Electric Innovation Fleet partners
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) announced that Penske Truck Leasing and NFI have agreed to partner in operating the Freightliner Electric Innovation Fleet of eCascadia heavy-duty trucks and eM2 106 medium-duty trucks. The move is the next phase of a co-creation process that DTNA is utilizing to actively involve customers in the development of commercial
Eaton establishes eMobility business to work on electrification
Eaton has created a new eMobility business aimed at addressing increasing demand for high-voltage electrified vehicle technologies, the company announced. According to Eaton, the eMobility business will focus on intelligent power electronics, power systems, and advanced power distribution and circuit protection. eMobility was formed by combining products, expertise and manufacturing capabilities from Eaton’s electrical and
Taking E-propulsion to school: Inside Navistar’s work on electric buses
As the North American commercial vehicle market spars over the viability of long-haul electrification, Navistar is banking on school buses to be the logical, appropriate and customer-centric starting point. “We believe that today’s electric powertrains are ideally suited for school bus applications, as well as medium-duty delivery trucks and port drayage segments,” Jeff Sass, Navistar’s
