The Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Long Beach, California, brought together major players in trucking and transport decarbonisation. From large heavy-duty Class 8 tractor-trailer trucks down to the three-wheeled mini cargo carriers, the event showcased the latest battery-electric, fuel cell and clean technologies.

Fuel Cells Coming to Trucks Soon

Long Beach is home to the Port of Los Angeles, where ten Toyota fuel-cell-powered Kenworth trucks are deployed. The technology tested at the port will be available to truckmakers soon. A few days before the expo, Toyota announced that it would be offering its fuel cell technology to trucking manufacturers.

Toyota fuel-cell tech will be available in 2023. It includes dual fuel cell modules, battery, electric motors, transmission and hydrogen storage that delivers over 300 miles of range at a full-load weight of 80,000 lbs.

“We have proven the technology. We feel fuel cell technology is ready for volume production,” says Chris Rovik, Executive Program Manager, Toyota Motor North America, “It’s exciting to see the critical mass of fuel cell technology.”

Golden Opportunities for Cleaning Up Trucking

The state of California continually supports efforts for zero-emissions vehicles. At the Expo, The South Coast Air Quality Management District, California Air Resources Board and California Energy Commission. partnering with NFI Industries and Schneider, announced that they will fund 100 battery‐electric trucks in California. It is named the Joint Electric Truck Scaling Initiative, or JETSI.

The project will connect the port of Los Angeles to inland distribution centres using Daimler Trucks and Volvo Trucks and also fund infrastructure charging. The project is expected to replace more than 690,000 gallons of diesel annually.

These kinds of programs have been proven to be successful such as the early funding of TransPower.

Investment in TransPower by the California Energy Commission, U.S. The Department of Energy, South Coast Air Quality Management District, as well as the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, early on, are now helping to bring electric powertrains to the industry. Escondido-based TransPower debuted a Class 8 truck driving a ground-breaking distance of 88 miles back in 2014.

TransPower, which started developing electric drive systems in 2010, was purchased by Meritor in 2020. TransPower technology is now part of Meritor Blue Horizon products.

“It is a good match with Meritor and TransPower. Together we are able to build a really advanced vehicle,” says Frank Falcone, Vice President of Powertrain Technologies at TransPower USA, “Both of our skill sets are symbiotic. We refined our existing skills– ending up with a vehicle that is more efficient and with better performance and powertrain. Our hardware is fuel agnostic. It doesn’t mind where the electricity comes from, it will work with battery-electric, fuel cell and other technologies.”

Meritor recently invested in SEA Electric and its electrification platforms.

“There is a tremendous interest in our all-electric SEA-Drive Power System technology, as well as our applications, including the Class 6 Step Van platform,” says Tony Fairweather, president and founder, SEA Electric.

Continue reading the full article – including sections entitled “Many Sizes of Clean Vehicles”, “Orange And Green”, “New Charging Leads The Charge”, and “FreeWire Technologies Offers Charging Services And Upgrades” – at Auto Futures by Lynn Walford published on September 5, 2021.

A 4.5-tonne GVM SEA 300-45 capable of being driven on a car licence has been launched as the entry-level truck for SEA Electric.

The first example of the pure electric-powered SEA 300-45 has rolled off SEA Electric’s Melbourne production line, with its car-licence rating opening up opportunities for zero emission last-mile deliveries.

Designed, engineered and assembled in Australia, the 4.5-tonne GVM SEA 300-45 was unveiled at the recent Brisbane Truck Show.

The model’s design sees batteries and its Power-System optimally positioned away from the steer axle, allowing for improved weight distribution and driving dynamics.

The patented SEA-Drive 70-7 Power-System as fitted to the truck features maximum power and torque ratings of 127kW and 700Nm, with its performance characteristics making it ideal for stop-start city traffic.

SEA says that with an 88kWh battery, the SEA 300-45 has an unladen range of up to 250km with a fast charging time of under two hours.

The truck’s tare weight comes in at 2.5-tonnes, which results in an allowance of two-tonnes for its body and freight with a maximum body length of 4820mm, while all ancillary functions can be converted to pure-electric power, including refrigeration units.

“In recent times, the transport industry has seen massive development in the last mile delivery sector, fuelled by the growth of demand for online shopping,” said Bill Gillespie, SEA Electric President – Asia Pacific.

“We’re particularly proud of the SEA 300-45; it ticks many boxes for fleets who want to show leadership in environmental sustainability moving forward.

“Obviously, being capable of driven on a car licence makes it is easier to attract and retain staff, and those drivers are able to utilise a noise, fume and vibration-free work environment.

“With the silent operation of the truck, converting to EVs creates opportunities to beat noise curfews moving forward, with residences and businesses along delivery routes also big winners.

“The range of the SEA 300-45 is also a strong suite, and when coupled with its fast charging capability, the trucks can slot in seamlessly to existing fleets.

Mr Gillespie went on to say that the first SEA 300-45 is yet another milestone for SEA Electric since the local volume production of trucks commenced, with the brand recently becoming Australia’s latest OEM after gaining Australian Design Rules approval.

The SEA Electric range is available from the SEA national dealer network, complete with a comprehensive sales, service and parts offering, backed up by NTI’s market leading 24/7 roadside assistance package for the warranty period of the trucks.

Further details on SEA Electric and its dealer network can be found here.

Read the full article at Truck Sales published on September 2, 2021.