Queensland energy minister hails state first for such an EV

Queensland energy, renewables and hydrogen minister Mick de Brenni was deep in his portfolio element at the Brisbane Truck Show with the debut of an SEA Electric bucket crane truck for state owned power firm Energex.

The 15.5 tonne mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) is based at Energex’s Stafford depot and will be aimed at storm recovery and network maintenance tasks in Brisbane’s north.

In comments at the event, de Brenni views such moves as helping advance electric vehicle (EV) progress locally.

“Our Energex crews work around the clock to keep Queenslanders safe and connected and are some of the first on the frontline when storms strike,” de Brenni says.

“The arrival of the MEWP puts them on the forefront of technology in the heavy transport space, with this electric motor producing up to 2,500nm of torque.

“A 138kWh battery pack sits where fuel and air tanks traditionally would, saving around 30 tonnes of diesel emissions each year.

“With more Queenslanders getting behind the wheel of electric cars, heavy transport is the next logical step in our efforts to decarbonise.”

Energex CEO Rod Duke sees the new addition to the company’s fleet as an exciting insight into the future of EVs in Queensland.

“While we’ve had electric and hybrid cars in the fleet for many years, this truck is the first of its kind for us and we’re looking forward to putting it through its paces,” Duke says.

“It’s a real game-changer for our emergency response in a number of ways and has a range of 200km once fully charged, which will obviously have benefits in terms of reduced carbon emissions.

“Additionally, significantly reduced noise levels make the crew’s essential work activity less intrusive for the community, particularly in times of storm and emergency response, which often occur at night.”

Read the full article at Trade Trucks published on May 17, 2021.

Australian electric truck company, SEA Electric, will use the upcoming Brisbane Truck Show to publicly launch the first operational-ready range of electric trucks from a manufacturer globally, with five different vehicles to be presented.

With years of experience retrofitting traditionally propelled trucks with the fully electric SEA-Drive power-system, the company recently released its Australian Design Rules certified SEA Electric badged trucks, as assembled from Semi Knock Down kits in Melbourne.

Trucks to be displayed at the Brisbane Truck Show include the SEA 300 EV and the SEA 500 EV, with the exhibit also offering visitors a glimpse into the technical aspects of the innovative SEA-Drive power-system.

For the first time, the SEA 300 EV models will be presented with SEA Electric’s new badges and branding.

“This Semi Knock Down kit collaboration is the first of its kind, and has set the benchmark for similar programs in other SEA Electric markets around the world,” said Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric’s Founder and President.

A highlight will be the unveiling of the SEA 300-45 EV model, with its 4,500kg GVM capable of being driven on a car licence.

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

The SEA-Drive 70-7 Power-system fitted to the truck features maximum power and torque ratings of 127kW and 700Nm. Its 88kWh battery capacity provides up to 250km of unladen range with a fast charging time of under two hours.

“It’s fantastic that the Brisbane Truck Show is back, and we are excited to be able to present our range to the public, now as an OE manufacturer,” said Glen Walker, SEA Electric Regional Director for Oceania.

“Operators the world over have mandates to reduce their carbon footprint, with SEA Electric at the forefront of zero-emissions solutions for transport.

“No other company has a line-up of all-electric models with a GVM range of 4.5 through to 22.5 tonnes, especially with the level of performance and reliability which SEA has proven in the field with millions of kilometres of real-world use.

“We are particularly proud of the SEA 300-45 EV, as we see it as a true game-changer in the marketplace, especially following the growth in the past 12 months of last-mile deliveries.

“The beauty of our new production line assembling the trucks from the Semi Knock Down kits is that the process provides multiple efficiencies, including from a waste perspective, as many components were previously discarded in the retrofitting process.

“The consistency of assembly also results in a commonality of the parts required and the sort benefits that come from volume manufacture.

“Perhaps the most important element of SKD assembly is it allows SEA Electric to relate to the Australian transport sector in the time-honoured tradition; as an OEM with a full range of products sold, serviced and supported from a National Dealer Network.

“Since the announcement in March of the SEA 300 EV and SEA 500 EV, we have been full steam ahead, with the models being warmly received by the marketplace, while our technology continues to make waves in both North America and Asia.”

The trucks to be displayed at the Show feature a sample of the application possibilities, including tipper, elevated work platform, and refuse collection, with all auxiliary operations fully electric powered.

These trucks will be located between the SEA Electric exhibit (Foyer stand 50), and the nearby South Bank Truck Festival.

The display SEA 300 examples represent the first new trucks to roll off the production line, with further models available for test drivers from the 15 fully accredited SEA Electric dealers nationwide in the coming months.

Read the full article at Owner Driver published on May 4, 2021.