SEA Electric features at 2022 AfMA Conference
SEA Electric has successfully showcased to the automotive fleet management decision-makers of Australia at the recent Australasian Fleet Management Association’s (AfMA) 2022 Fleet Conference & Exhibition.
Designed to highlight the road ahead for fleet professionals, SEA Electric exhibited a SEA 300-85 EV cab chassis and with a SEA-Drive® 100 power-system, while also sponsoring the program’s morning tea.
Amongst the 35 speakers at the conference, Bill Gillespie, SEA Electric President, Asia Pacific Region, outlined the current state of the zero-emission transport environment and the aspirations of SEA Electric as Australia’s newest commercial vehicle OEM
“The AfMA Conference was a great opportunity to engage with the key stakeholders involved in the fleet management industry,” said Mr Gillespie.
“From a SEA Electric perspective, the event underlines that the sector now has a strong understanding of the concepts behind EV technology, they are asking more technical questions, and being purchase ready, they want to know more about the acquisition process.
“Even with increased competition in the marketplace, SEA Electric is well positioned to capitalize on those looking to make the switch to EV, with an established, trusted national dealer network, plus a comprehensive range of cab, wheelbase, and power-system options to cover applications up to 22.5 tonnes.
“It is apparent that our high-quality vehicles, backed by millions of kilometres of real-world use, and supported by an extensive aftersales service and parts offering places SEA Electric at the forefront of the available EV truck options.”
A focus of the conference was the ever-changing technology aspects faced by the industry, from zero-emissions options to autonomous motoring, performance, and safety.
In Australia, transport emissions make up 19 per cent of the country’s total emissions, with road freight contributing to 38 per cent of that total, despite heavy vehicles only making up 4 per cent of the road vehicle fleet.
Founded in Australia in 2012, SEA Electric’s mature technology can now be found on five continents, with growth accelerating across the USA and Europe.
Continue reading the full article at Fleet Auto News published on May 23, 2022.
- Published in Articles, Media Release, News, Technology
The SEA is rising
SEA Electric showcased its latest developments on a Class 6 SV6 EV stripped chassis at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, to be held at Long Beach, California, from May 9-12, 2022, the largest clean fleet event of its type.
Founded in Australian in 2012, SEA Electric created electric power-system technology—aka SEA-Drive—as a vehicle solution provider for the world’s urban delivery and distribution fleets, as well as front powered school bus applications.
It states that its SEA-Drive power-system, leads the industry in terms of range, driving performance, weight and environmental credentials, with zero local emissions of carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide.
With its medium-voltage architecture and no requirement for active thermal management of batteries, SEA Electric said its solution is the lightest, most cost-effective and most efficient system available in the battery-electric last-mile delivery segment.
“Major fleets across the country that utilize a step van platform understand that zero-emissions power-systems are now proven and the way forward,” stated Tony Fairweather, founder and Chief Executive Officer of SEA Electric.
He said: “With the SEA SV6 EV, we bring to the market a complete package that offers all of the functionality required from these vehicles, complete with a proven, reliable all-electric architecture that leads the industry.”
Fairweather offered that one of the more exciting things about the world shifting to electric vehicles, is the V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) capabilities of the system, which he explained would form the basis of the future energy ecosystem.
“With only 100,000 SV6 EVs on the road, it would represent the equivalent of the entire battery storage capacity that is currently available across the US,” he continued. “The switch to zero emissions deliveries has environmental advantages, but importantly, provides mobile battery storage and paves the way to improved power grid security.”
Powered by the SEA-Drive 120b power-system, the SV6 EV covers applications with a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) up to 22,000lbs (Class 6), with its 335hp and 2,580lb-ft performance ratings ideal for any urban driving situation.
It utilizes a 138kWh battery pack for the platform, delivering a class-leading unladen range of up to 170 miles, while also capable of being configured for fast charging at up to 80kW.
The SV6 EV platform is packed with specialist innovations unique to the segment.
From all-encompassing telematics, including a smartphone app, back-end portal and integrated digital instrument cluster from Valid, to EV-specific tires with a low rolling resistance, and an angular sensor on the electric power steering system, which actively conserves power, the advancements are numerous.
The package will have the standard inclusions and optional extras comparable with any similar vehicle currently available, including driver comfort and safety items, which can be incorporated into popular body types, with various width and wheelbase options available. Examples include: Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems include; Automatic Emergency Braking, Distance Alert/Distance Indication, Post-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Alert System and Auto-High Beam Control
For delivery drivers, the SV6 EV provides a comfortable work environment, with health and safety considerations including no noise, fumes, heat, or vibrations, while fleets can rest assured with class-leading warranty, and with extended warranties also available.
Durability testing for the package is set to commence in Q3 2022, with volume assembly to begin in Q1 2023, with conditional orders currently being taken.
Further announcements regarding Class 3 to 5 SEA SV stripped chassis models will be made in due course.
Although founded in Australia, SEA Electric maintains its headquarters in Torrance, California, with its global engineering center in Grimes, Iowa. Its electric commercial vehicles can be found in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Africa with over 1-million miles of independently OEM (original equipment manufacturer)-tested and in-service international operation.
Continue reading the full article at Service Truck Magazine by Matthew MacDonald published on May 11, 2022.
- Published in Articles, E-Range, Media Release, News, SEA-Drive, Technology
Can Australian-made electric trucks keep our cities moving?
As things have started to open up after Covid-19 restrictions eased across Australia, noise pollution from trucks has been gradually on the rise. But can electrification of trucks in Australia help solve that?
I commonly hear the complaint: “Australian automotive manufacturing is gone”.
It’s true that we don’t make Holdens, Toyotas or Fords anymore, but automotive manufacturing is still alive and here in 2022. I got to see it in action recently at SEA Electric’s factory in southeast Melbourne.
Australian-made EV trucks: quiet achievers
One thing that blew me away when I test drove SEA’s trucks in April was how quiet they were off the line and how much easier it was for the drivers to get in and start driving.
The cabin was quieter and did not have the vibrations coming off a diesel engine which is always there even if the truck is stopped at a set of lights.
This eases driver fatigue which we know contributes to road toll. So these trucks are not only quieter, but they are safer on our roads too. Drivers are more aware of their surrounding traffic with less noise and vibration.
Could quieter electric trucks increase house values?
On the road, EV trucks like those made by SEA Electric produce much less noise which is better for residents of homes on main-roads across Australia.
As more and more EV trucks and cars get onto our roads, our main roads would get less noisier which could lead to an increase in house values too.
Future of EV trucks
Many of us have heard that “without trucks, Australia stops”. It’s true as road freight is such an integral part of our transport network and the way we live.
As we move towards a cleaner future and decarbonise transport, EV trucks will play a major role in that transition. This would lead to cleaner and quieter cities and if these trucks are Australian made right here like SEA Electric trucks are in Melbourne, it’ll help us quietly achieve that transition a lot quicker.
Continue reading the full article at The Driven by Riz Akhtar published on May 11, 2022.
- Published in Articles, E-Range, News, SEA-Drive, Technology