As well as helping companies to meet their customers’ sustainability expectations, SEA Electric’s Bill Gillespie tells us the growth of electric trucks offers fleet operators a way to make “extreme” savings on their fuel bills.

This week on Rewired, we are joined by SEA Electric’s Bill Gillespie to discuss the growing demand for zero emissions heavy vehicles.

The company has been on a rapid rise since launching their first model in 2017. Their trucks are now in operation across some of Australia’s biggest fleets, ferrying deliveries for Woolworths, IKEA, Australia Post and DHL, and also helping local councils to reduce emissions.

Founded in Australia and now based in Los Angeles, SEA Electric is expanding into international markets, with a growing presence in the US, Europe and Asia.

“It’s gone beyond, that would be a nice thing to do for the planet…”

They offer an expanding range of models for a variety of applications, as new markets emerge for mid-sized electric trucks for ‘last mile’ deliveries, buses, garbage collection, refrigerated transport and passenger vans.

Gillespie acknowledges that electric models today cost up to three times as much to purchase as diesel powered equivalents, but says the extra costs can be recouped within five years through a combination of lower fuel and maintenance costs.

He points to IKEA, who are running three SEA Electric trucks in Sydney as part of their efforts to achieve a company-wide zero emissions target by 2030.

“Each of those trucks have done over 100,000kms, they average about 200kms per day and come back to base each night and are charged.

“If you look at DHL, UPS, Amazon, all of those companies have really aggressive plans around zero emissions deliveries.”

The delivery trucks that are in service for IKEA typically cost about $12 per day to operate, offering a lower ‘total cost of ownership’ than combustion alternatives, winning out even when environmental benefits are put aside.

Made in Melbourne

In 2017, SEA Electric received $5 million from the Clean Energy Innovation Fund; a program jointly administered by ARENA and the CEFC.

The funding supported the development of their proprietary Sea-Drive system, which they install in new rolling chassis and can also retrofit existing vehicles.

Gillespie says the fact their trucks are manufactured in Melbourne is a unique selling point.

“Yeah, I think they’re pleasantly surprised that they are made in Australia, that’s a big advantage for us right now.

Read the full blog and listen to the podcast at ArenaWire published on November 18, 2021.

GATR Truck Center has made a significant step toward an all-electric transport future, with a deal to acquire 1,150 zero-emissions SEA M5 electric vehicles (EV) for its clients across Minnesota and Iowa.

The deal will see the first 40 trucks delivered by the end of 2021, with the remainder delivered throughout 2022, with demonstration models made available for fleets to sample the technology for the first time.

The package features the Hino Class 5 chassis, fitted with a SEA Electric SEA-Drive Power System. The truck’s drivetrain features a 1,106-lb-ft electric motor in combination with a 138 kWh battery pack, which provides performance and range potential.

For GATR EV, the announcement will form the cornerstone of an e-commerce system currently in development focusing purely on the sale of electric vehicles.

“The GATR companies are proud to be a leader in this huge momentum shift towards electric vehicles in our industry,” states Matt Gordon, president of GATR Truck Centers/GATR EV. “We pride ourselves on being innovators in our industry, being stewards of the environment, and exploring new opportunities to facilitate our customers in growing their companies and becoming more profitable.”

GATR EV has struck a partnership with Merchants Fleet Management Company, which will give clients access to the national leasing company. For Merchants Fleet, the deal is the first step in a commitment to making 50% of its mobility fleet electric by 2025, and 50% of its managed clients’ fleets EV by 2030.

Read the full article at NGT News by Ariana Fine published on November 12, 2021.

Australian zero-emissions truck manufacturer SEA Electric has turned to rooftop solar power for its Melbourne assembly facility, with the installation of a 100kW solar power system SEA Electric says its system features an array of 250 x 400W solar panels and is currently tracking at 90 per cent carbon positive, having produced 24MWH of energy to date.

“Here at SEA Electric, we are proud to be leading the charge to eliminate CO2 emissions through our range of all-electric trucks; the next logical step has been to run our manufacturing facility purely on solar power,” said Glen Walker, SEA Electric Vice President – Asia Pacific.

“Electricity generation and transport are the two biggest producers of carbon dioxide in Australia, so all-electric transport powered by renewable energy makes a lot of sense moving forward.

“For new SEA Electric owners, making the switch to zero-emissions logistics eliminates diesel consumption and lowers maintenance costs, with fewer moving parts requiring less ongoing servicing.

“The SEA Electric range provides financial advantages for daily use over conventional trucks, even if charged by power supplied from the grid.”

Electric vehicles are only one aspect of the new energy ecosystem, with the vehicles having the ability to provide energy storage opportunities, which in the future will pave the way to further power grid stability and flexibility.

The Founder and CEO of SEA Electric, Tony Fairweather, has first-hand insight regarding the deployment of large-scale electric-powered fleets in the USA.

“Many of these large fleets utilise their vehicles for less than half of a 24 hour day; the balance is spent in depot yards, where rooftop solar panels can generate ample power supply to fully charge their batteries,” Fairweather said.

“Consider a future transport depot to be a nationally networked, renewable power plant, not only charging fleets but also offering excess stored energy back into the power grid, possibly supported by additional on-site battery storage.

“While Moss Landing in California houses the world’s largest and most expensive battery storage facility, SEA Electric plans to deploy more battery capacity in 2024 than that entire facility.

“Essentially it is mobile and readily available storage ‘on wheels’.

“With Australia now agreeing to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 at the recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), look no further than networked depot power plants to contribute substantially to achieving this critical milestone.

“Generations to come are depending on it.”

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

Read the full article at Truck Sales published on November 5, 2021.

Destined for a range of heavy duties, from transporting mining supplies to moving temperature-controlled freight the first SEA 300-85 has been manufactured in Melbourne.

SEA Electric, an Australian company specialising in the assembly and 100% electrification of commercial vehicles for a global market, today announced the first of its 8.5 tonne SEA 300-85 trucks to roll off its Melbourne production line.

The truck, with a 138 kWh battery driving a motor with 1,500 Nm torque, has been delivered to Mineral Resources (MRL), a mining services company that provides services to clients throughout Western Australia, and also operates iron ore, lithium and other mines in the Pilbara and Goldfields regions of the state.

MRL will use the SEA 300-85 to transport materials between mine sites, and this particular vehicle will serve as a flagship for the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint — that is, it will take pride of place at community events and roadshows.

“We’ve developed a transition plan to a low-carbon future and that includes reducing our reliance on diesel,” Mike Grey, MRL’s Chief Executive of Mining Services, said in a statement.

He added, “Our mission is to grow our mining services and operations responsibly,” and transport offers the company a low-hanging-fruit opportunity for reducing carbon emissions.

Transportation for mines comes clean

The SEA announcement comes just weeks after the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) invested $5 million in New South Wales Hunter Valley-based battery technology producer 3ME Technology which enables miners to swap out diesel engines with innovative modular battery electric systems.

Direct and indirect (from energy used to power operations) emissions from oil, gas, mining and metals processing industries in Australia contribute more than a quarter of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions, which has led the CEFC to increase its focus on decarbonising Australia’s resources sector

CEO of the CEFC, Ian Learmonth, said earlier this month that, “The decarbonisation of Australia’s resources sector is critical to our clean energy transition and electrification has an important part to play.”

SEA Electric has been performing driveline swaps on existing internal combustion-engine powered trucks since 2017, and it says the move to become an Original Equipment Manufacturer, constructing vehicles “from new” on its new Melbourne production line will reduce the cost of its trucks, increase efficiencies, reduce waste and accelerate the speed of manufacture.

Electric trucks in all sizes

The SEA300-85 is one in a full range of pure electric truck models — from 4.5-tonne trucks that can be driven with a car licence, to 22.5-tonne three-axle rigid transporters — available through a network of 12 dealerships around Australia.

Founded in Australia, SEA Electric is now headquartered in Los Angeles in the US and supplies customers in the US, New Zealand, Thai, Indonesian and South African markets.

Less than a week ago it announced its largest ever order, for 1,150 SEA Hino M5 EVs, from GATR EV a division of GATR Truck Center which has five dealerships across the US states of Iowa and Minnesota.

GATR has a partnership with Merchants Fleet, a fast-growing US fleet-management company which has committed more than $2 billion towards electrifying 50% of its mobility fleet by 2025, and 50% of its clients’ fleets by 2030.

To meet such demand, GATR Truck Center is developing an e-commerce system that will sell purely electric vehicles and its strategic partnership with SEA Electric, said Jay Klemp, Director of Sales at GATR EV, means “we can build enough of these Hino trucks to provide demonstration vehicles and also solutions to our future fleet partners.”

Look, you guys, no incentives!

Nick Casas, SEA Electric Vice President of Sales and Marketing, said last week, “This is our first four-digit order and it comes in a non-incentive state, which proves that commercial EV solutions can expand in areas with no incentives”.

SEA Electric is in the process of replicating the production techniques it has developed in Australia for other global markets.

“Australian manufacturing and ingenuity is alive and well, said Bill Gillespie, President of SEA Electric in the Asia Pacific region.

”The response from the transport industry since the launch of our local volume production is heartening,” he added, saying the company hoped to pass many more milestones on the road to its stated mission, which is to eliminate more than a billion kilograms of CO2 emissions over the coming five years.

Read the full article at PV Magazine published on October 25, 2021.

Global transport company SEA Electric took a big step forward in the U.S., with confirmation of an order for more than 1,000 SEA Hino M5 EVs, the single largest order in the company’s history.

Set to be delivered to GATR EV (a division of GATR Truck Centers), the zero-emission trucks will feature the patented SEA-Drive Power System. The SEA Electric offering of pure-electric systems is adaptable to most OEM glider chassis platforms, from medium-duty Class 3 to heavy-duty Class 8.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, over the past 18 months, SEA Electric has established a nationwide network of technology partners as well as collaborations with leading OEMs.

The SEA M5 EV model featured at the recent ACT Expo in Long Beach, California, complete with the SEA-Drive 120a Power System, which is specified for truck platforms with a GVWR of 13,000- to 18,000-pounds (Class 3-5). The package features a 1,106 lb.-ft. electric motor in combination with a 138 kWh battery pack.

“This deal is the culmination of years of research, development and growth, and proves that SEA Electric is on track to be number one when it comes to electrifying fleets across the world,” said Mike Menyhart, SEA Electric President – Americas and Chief Strategy Officer. “The market is looking for a proven EV solution, and with SEA Electric, we bring that to the industry technology which has been verified with millions of miles of real-world use. Furthermore, this announcement reaffirms our commitment to continue our rapid expansion within the North American market, and sets the scene for an exciting 2022.”

For SEA Electric, the milestone is the company’s first four-digit order.

“And, it comes in a non-incentive state, which proves that commercial EV solutions can expand in areas with no incentives, while all corners of the market are seeking premium EV solutions,” said Nick Casas, SEA Electric Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “GATR should be congratulated for being at the forefront of EV supply and being capable of servicing the needs of large fleets immediately. GATR has a partnership with Merchants Fleet, which will benefit the end-user, who will not only be able to access an electric solution straight away, but will be able to transact with one of the most respected leasing companies in the USA.”

Merchants Fleet has committed more than $2B toward having 50% of its mobility fleet electric by 2025 and 50% of its clients’ fleet electric by 2030. The company has also launched an Adopt EV program, designed to help  guide businesses through each step of the fleet electrification process — from assessing needs, to purchasing the right vehicles, to charging options and infrastructure support.

GATR Truck Center, which features five dealerships throughout Iowa and Minnesota, currently has an e-commerce system in development to sell purely electric vehicles. The first 40 vehicles are expected to be delivered by the end of December 2021, with the remaining vehicles to be delivered throughout 2022.

Read the full article at Green Fleet Magazine published on October 20, 2021.

AP Equipment Financing is pursuing an initiative to provide competitive finance programs for package and delivery customers looking to acquire electric vehicles. To begin this initiative, AP will be providing finance solutions for SEA Electric‘s suite of electric vehicles tailored and designed solely for Package Delivery contractors, such as FedEx Ground.

“Financing commercial grade electric vehicles, with manufacturers such as SEA Electric, is not only a great option for providing state of the art, high-quality vehicles for our Package Delivery clientele, but this is also a socially responsible initiative that our company stands firmly behind” stated Nick Fong, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Technology Officer of AP. “Our customers have come to rely on AP’s ability to provide value-added services beyond the standard finance program. We take pride in our ability to provide the highest levels of customer service. This often entails preparing for large industry changing disruptions such as the electric vehicle transition. Staying ahead of the curve and offering finance packages customized to the unique requirements of EV’s demonstrates our dedication to our customers’ ever-changing needs, as well as our dedication to reducing carbon footprints nationwide.”

“We are at a point now where we are running major trials with some of the world’s largest fleet operators — the UPS, Staples and FedEx,” says Mike Menyhard, CSO of SEA Electric. “At the end of the day, those are the type of organizations that could very well put in three-, four- and five-digit orders, and we need to be able to show them how we would be able to support them,” According to SEA Electric, they are on schedule to deliver more than 1,000 electric commercial vehicles this year and to have more than 15,000 vehicles on the road by the end of 2023.

AP Equipment Financing and their parent company, Tokyo Century USA, recognize that addressing environmental issues is a social responsibility and will seek to contribute to the creation of an environmentally-sound, sustainable economy and society by acting with due consideration for environmental issues.

Read the full article at AP Equipment Financing by Cori Miller published on September 28, 2021.

SEA Electric says its display at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in California from August 30 to September 2 has been a major success for the company.

Four vehicles were displayed; a bare Ford Step Van Class 6 (SV6) chassis and a SEA Hino M5 EV chassis, with a ride and drive experience featuring a SEA Hino M5 EV (Staples box truck) and a SEA SV6 EV (FedEx Ground step van) with about 40 of the expo’s 5000 visitors experiencing these.

Australian-founded and now Los Angeles-based SEA Electric says all four vehicles have the SEA-Drive 120a electric power system it has been developing since 2012.

The expo showcased the latest products available in the alternative fuels sector, with SEA Electric providing a solution for most truck and van OEM glider chassis, from Class 3 to Class 8.

The event was also the first public display since tier one transport drivetrain supplier Meritor announced its strategic investment and shareholding in SEA Electric, with a Meritor 14Xe ePowertrain featured on the stand.

The system is suited to Class 8 refuse and linehaul trucks, Class 6-7 pickup and delivery, plus school bus applications.

“Overall, the ACT Expo was an outstanding success for SEA Electric, with hundreds of current and potential partners catching up with our team of sales and engineering staff,” SEA Electric founder and president Tony Fairweather says.

“Through networking with other companies at the expo, we are aware of a genuine interest in our products, which is particularly heartening, especially as we power towards an IPO.

“The feedback we received was incredibly positive; driving an EV is a phenomenal experience compared to anything else on the road.”

The trucks have a 138kWh battery pack, delivering up to 320km range, with a typical break-even period of fewer than four years without considering any applicable grants or subsidies.

The US ACT Expo is from May 9 to 12 next year.

Read the full article at Auto Talk by Geoff Dobson published on September 16, 2021.