Victoria-based SEA Electric has grabbed the attention of attendees at a recent truck show in the US that has seen it receive multiple orders for its Ford F-59 stripped chassis truck kitted out with SEA electric drivetrain.

Orders for the F-59 electric truck, which has a very impressive 2500Nm maximum torque, will soon be delivered to locations across the US including Detroit, Philadelphia, New York City and San Francisco, says SEA Electric.

Debuting at the Green Truck Summit held in conjunction with the Work Truck Show last month in Indianapolis, SEA Electric demonstrated its electric drivetrain technology which it is applying to a number of trucks including an Isuzu NRR and Ford Transit vans in addition to the F-59.

“Feedback in the United States to our SEA Electric technology from both government and private buyers has been extremely positive with several customers already placing orders,” said SEA Electric Tony Fairweather in a statement.

For both the F-59 and the Isuzu NRR, SEA is integrating its SEA-Drive 120b electric power-system which brings 150kW continuous power and up to 250kW of power, and can supply 1230Nm of continuous torque.

With battery packs mounted in a central location to emulate the original weight distribution of combustion engine and transmission, both these electric trucks off up to 350km range.

The Ford Transit vans, which will have 300km range, are a work in progress and due to enter trials in the middle of 2019.

They will  be kitted out with the SEA-Drive 70 drivetrain, which gives 75kW continuous power, max power of 134kW and 700Nm of torque.

With an on-board charger that allows 22kW charging on a three phase system, Fairweather says the “back-to-base” operations afforded by the SEA Electric trucks is an attractive proposition to operators who can charge the trucks overnight at the end of a working day.

“Operators can also expect a payback period of less than four years (without incentives) on their SEA-Drive powered truck or van, so with a battery lifecycle of up to 10 years, there are great efficiencies to be gained over the whole life of the vehicle,” Fairweather says. READ MORE

SAE Electric is an Australian-based company that’s kicking goals on the world stage. Recently SAE Electric had a successful US launch at the ‘Work Truck Show’ in Indianapolis, where it demonstrated its electric technology, specifically engineered for heavy vehicles.

The Work Truck Show saw SEA Electric take multiple vehicle orders that will soon be deployed to cities including Detroit, Philadelphia, New York City and San Francisco.

The company will use the ACT expo to display its 100% electric-powered Ford F-59 ‘Stripped Chassis’ along with a fully electric Isuzu NRR, further penetrating the US market while providing attendees with an opportunity to inspect the world-class technology first hand.

The display Ford F-59 stripped chassis is powered by the SEA-Drive 120b power-system which produces 150kW of continuous power and 250kW of maximum power, but more importantly for a commercial vehicle, continuous torque of 1230Nm and an impressive maximum torque figure of 2500Nm.

The second of the display trucks is an Isuzu NRR that also features the SEA-Drive 120b power-system. Both vehicles have generous operating ranges of up to 350km (220 miles), removing any chance of ‘range angst’ for operators.

SEA Electric also has a Ford Transit van program underway which will enter trials mid-year.  This van features the SEA-Drive 70 power-system which provides continuous power of 75kW, maximum power of 134kW and 700Nm of maximum torque for an operating range of up to 300km (190 miles) also.

Batteries for all three vehicles can be fully charged overnight in 4-6 hours using a 22kW on-board charger, which allows them to be plugged-in and charged from any three-phase power source.

SEA Electric Group Managing Director, Tony Fairweather, said US response to the company’s SEA-Drive powered vehicles has been overwhelming and he was confident that the reception from ACT expo attendees would also be extremely positive. READ MORE

(MENAFN – Editorial) Following its successful US launch at the ‘Work Truck Show’ in Indianapolis last month, leading Australian automotive electric technology company, SEA Electric, is set to exhibit at California’s ‘Advanced Clean Transportation’ (ACT) expo on April 24-25. The Work Truck Show saw SEA Electric take multiple vehicle orders that will soon be deployed to cities including Detroit, Philadelphia, New York City and San Francisco. The company will use the ACT expo to display its 100 per cent electric-powered Ford F-59 ‘Stripped Chassis’ along with a fully electric Isuzu NRR, further penetrating the US market while providing attendees with an opportunity to inspect the world-class technology first hand. The display Ford F-59 stripped chassis is powered by the SEA-Drive® 120b power-system which produces 150kW of continuous power and 250kW of maximum power, but more importantly for a commercial vehicle, continuous torque of 1230Nm and an impressive maximum torque figure of 2500Nm. The second of the display trucks is an Isuzu NRR that also features the SEA-Drive® 120b power-system. Both vehicles have generous operating ranges of up to 350km (220 miles), removing any chance of ‘range angst’ for operators. SEA Electric also has a Ford Transit van program underway which will enter trials mid-year. This van features the SEA-Drive® 70 power-system which provides continuous power of 75kW, maximum power of 134kW and 700Nm of maximum torque for an operating range of up to 300km (190 miles) also. Batteries for all three vehicles can be fully charged overnight in 4-6 hours using a 22kW on-board charger, which allows them to be plugged-in and charged from any three-phase power source. SEA Electric Group Managing Director, Tony Fairweather, said US response to the company’s SEA-Drive® powered vehicles has been overwhelming and he was confident that the reception from ACT expo attendees would also be extremely positive. “Feedback in the United States to our SEA Electric technology from both government and private buyers has been extremely positive with several customers already placing orders,” he said. Mr Fairweather explained that the SEA-Drive® powered vehicles were ideal for urban and metropolitan back-to-base distribution applications. “For back-to-base operations EV technology is extremely attractive because at the end of the working day, these vehicles are conveniently charged (off-peak) overnight and ready to go again the next morning,” he said. “Operators can also expect a payback period of less than four years (without incentives) on their SEA-Drive® powered truck or van, so with a battery lifecycle of up to 10 years, there are great efficiencies to be gained over the whole life of the vehicle.” Earlier this year SEA Electric established its US company in Los Angeles and appointed its first US-based employees to guide its new products and future projects through US certification and distribution. In its home country of Australia, SEA Electric is already the commercial EV technology company of choice, supplying power-systems to many leading OEMs and large operators. The company also manufactures several of its own CBU (completely built up) van, light commuter bus and truck products. Visit the SEA Electric (booth 1527) at this year’s Advanced Clean Transport Expo April 24-25, at the Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach California. READ MORE

Automotive electric technology company, SEA Electric, is set to exhibit at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) expo later this month in the US.

The Work Truck Show saw SEA Electric take multiple vehicle orders that will soon be deployed to cities including Detroit, Philadelphia, New York City and San Francisco.

The company will use the ACT expo to display its 100 per cent electric-powered Ford F-59 ‘Stripped Chassis’ along with a fully electric Isuzu NRR.

The display Ford F-59 stripped chassis is powered by the SEA-Drive 120b power-system which produces 150kW of continuous power and 250kW of maximum power, but more importantly for a commercial vehicle, continuous torque of 1230Nm and a maximum torque figure of 2500Nm.

The second of the display trucks is an Isuzu NRR that also features the SEA-Drive 120b power-system.

Both vehicles have operating ranges of up to 350km.

SEA Electric also has a Ford Transit van program underway which will enter trials mid-year. This van features the SEA-Drive 70 power-system which provides continuous power of 75kW, maximum power of 134kW and 700Nm of maximum torque for an operating range of up to 300km.

Batteries for all three vehicles can be fully charged overnight within four-to-six hours using a 22kW on-board charger, which allows them to be plugged-in and charged from any three-phase power source. READ MORE

On the eve of the federal budget, Labor unveiled a new electric vehicle policy that has never been tested before in this country.

If elected, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has promised that 50 per cent of new car sales would be electric by 2030.

The pre-election pitch is being sold as a way to help achieve Labor’s emissions reduction target of 45 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030, and an opportunity to kickstart an electric vehicle manufacturing industry.

But it raises questions about the future cost of cars, how the fuel excise will be replaced and whether boosting electric cars is the right solution to a pressing global problem.

SEA Electric, based in Victoria, has an order bank running into hundreds for its battery-powered commercial vehicles and has just set up an assembly operation in Los Angeles to supply the US.

Founded six years ago, it exploits proprietary engineering to make battery trucks and vans using Hino, Isuzu and Ford bodies.

Managing director Tony Fairweather says Australia lags other nations in providing incentives for battery vehicles and risks “missing the boat” on the global transition to EVs.

But he welcomes the ALP’s initiative as a first step. “There’s zero support right now. The announcements this week were recognition that the EV revolution is pending and hopefully that will transition into supporting industry.”

He says small-scale operations such as SEA Electric face challenges getting financial backing with local banks “too conservative”.

But ironically, he says, the lack of incentives have helped SEA Electric adopt a uniquely effective approach.

“The fact Australia hasn’t provided us with incentives and substantial grants to develop our technology has actually been to our benefit because we had to develop something that stands on its own two feet in terms of its cost base,” he says.

The comparisons with the US, where Fairweather was launching the SEA Electric operation a few weeks ago, are stark.

“There’s been so much support and incentives for both manufacturers and end-users that those who have started to move into this space — and there is some competition over there, although not substantial — have developed higher cost and more sophisticated technology than is required in the commercial vehicle sector,” he says.

SEA Electric began converting trucks when batteries first became price-competitive three years ago.

It works closely with the manufacturers that supply the vehicle bodies and the process takes about four months from order to delivery. Most of its output has been shipped to New Zealand or the US, with handfuls going into Australian operations of companies such as Woolworths, Cleanaway and Ikea.

However, their experience is winning them over.

“Our trucks can do the same job as a diesel truck and it’s actually cheaper to buy when you look at its total life,” Fairweather says. “They are now starting to buy volume — we see the next orders being double-digit.”

Fairweather says the advantages go beyond environmental concerns. “There’s performance, cost, convenience — a whole heap of things about EVs that are attractive.”

SEA Electric will be exhibiting at the 2019 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, North America’s largest conference and expo showcasing the real-world application of advanced transportation technologies, drive trains, and clean fuels.

Our SEA Electric Team will be available to discuss the latest in our 100% electric power system solutions.

SEA Electric will be exhibiting at the 2019 Brisbane Truck show at the Brisbane Convention Centre May 16-19.

Our SEA Electric Team will be available to discuss the latest in 100% electric power system solutions.

Australia may mirror European electric vehicle (EV) fleet developments with urban uses, such as recycling collection, at the forefront initially.

Waste management company Suez is to trial an EV with high Australian content with Western Australia’s City of Belmont for just such a task expects other customers to demand the same.

City governments, particularly in northern Europe, have pressured truck manufacturers’ customers to use quiet and emissionless work vehicles for urban and suburban tasks, such as waste collection and goods delivery.

The move is in a direction forged by South Australia’s East Waste and New Zealand by contractor Waste Management NZ.

Read about the East Waste electric truck effort, here

Suez state general manager WA Craig Barker states that the EV truck is the first of its kind for the company in WA and will be a “showcase for the future of waste collection”.

“Suez is always looking for new ways to deliver services to customers,” Barker says.

“This new generation of waste collection vehicle is only now becoming available here, and we are keen to test this proven technology for our Belmont customers ahead of wider demand from our other council customers.”

The electric truck features an Iveco cab chassis fitted with an electric powered drive train fitted by SEA Electric in a SuperiorPak body.

The 230kWh battery provides more than 200km driving range before recharge, which only requires a simple 32-amp, three-phase outlet.

The side-loader will save about 35,000 litres of diesel a year, avoiding around 90 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

“Reducing carbon emissions is a key element of our City’s environment and sustainability strategy, and innovation in waste management is an important part of this,” City of Belmont CEO John Christie says.

“We are delighted that Suez’s new zero emissions truck will lead our recycling collections and look forward to seeing it out servicing the community while minimising our environmental impact.

“The new EV truck will be collecting recycling from around the City of Belmont.”

Suez notes that, in addition to generating zero emissions and fuel saving, the EV saves on AdBlue costs, has minimal oil changes and significantly reduced maintenance.

“Improved braking also means brake pads only need to be replaced every two years, compared to quarterly changes in traditional diesel-powered side-lift trucks,” Barker says. READ MORE

Waste and water management company SUEZ has selected the City of Belmont as the first site in Western Australia for its innovative new fully Electric Vehicle (EV) recycling truck.

SUEZ State General Manager WA Craig Barker said the EV truck, due for delivery in June, is the first of its kind for the company in Western Australia and will be a showcase for the future of waste collection.

“SUEZ is always looking for new ways to deliver services to customers,” said Barker.

“This new generation of waste collection vehicle is only now becoming available here, and we are keen to test this proven technology for our Belmont customers ahead of wider demand from our other council customers.”

The EV truck features an IVECO cab chassis fitted with an electric powered drive train built by SEA Electric in a SuperiorPak body.

A 230kWh battery provides more than 200 kilometre driving range before recharge and reportedly requires a simple 32-amp, three-phase outlet.

The side-loader EV truck will save approximately 35,000 litres of diesel per year noted SUEZ in a statement.

It estimates that the City residents will benefit from a further reduction in around 90 tonnes of carbon emissions.

City of Belmont Chief Executive Officer John Christie said the City was excited to be the first in Western Australia to benefit from SUEZ’s new EV truck.

“Reducing carbon emissions is a key element of our City’s Environment and Sustainability Strategy, and innovation in waste management is an important part of this,” said Christie.

“We are delighted that SUEZ’s new zero emissions truck will lead our recycling collections and look forward to seeing it out servicing the community while minimising our environmental impact,” he said.

”The new EV truck will be collecting recycling from around the City of Belmont.”

In addition to generating zero emissions, the EV truck offers a huge range of benefits including no diesel or AdBlue fuel costs, minimal oil changes and significantly reduced maintenance.

“Improved braking also means brake pads only need to be replaced every two years, compared to quarterly changes in traditional diesel-powered side-lift trucks,” said Barker.

The side-lift EV truck offers the latest in electric/hydraulic waste collection and compaction and is capable of approximately 1200 lifts per day on a single charge.

SUEZ was awarded the collections contract for the City of Belmont in November 2018 and this month began the roll out of its new diesel fleet.

California environmental regulators are working on a plan to speed up the deployment of electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks operating on the state’s streets and highways.

At a public workshop Feb. 25, California Air Resources Board officials said they are aiming to offer for approval by the end of this year the agency’s proposed regulation that would require a certain percentage of all trucks sold in the state to be electric or hydrogen fuel-cell trucks.

“The zero-emission truck market is beginning to grow rapidly with dozens of models commercially available today and many major manufacturers announcing plans for future commercialization of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks and buses,” said a CARB document presented for discussion at the hours-long public workshop.

The document also said that a wide range of battery-electric trucks are already becoming competitive with diesel-fueled vehicles in the right application and are expected to have a favorable comparison to diesel vehicles by 2024.

“The general idea is that the states have policies to get zero-emissions trucks into the marketplace,” Paul Arneja, a CARB air resources engineer, told Transport Topics. “The end goal that we’re pretty sure of is to reach 40,000 electric trucks by 2030.”

Arneja said CARB staff has been considering a mandate that manufacturers ensure that 2.5% of their overall sales are of electric trucks beginning in 2024, possibly increasing the mandate to 15% by 2030.

“Basically, CARB is committed to imposing a sales mandate on the manufacturers,” said Mike Tunnell, American Trucking Associations’ California-based director of energy and environmental affairs. “Anybody that does $2 billion or higher with sales in California would be required to sell a portion of certain vehicles as electric.”

Tunnell added, “But how could truckers be forced to buy, or manufacturers forced to sell, electric trucks? That’s a question the manufacturers are asking.”

Tunnell said ATA is closely watching the development of the proposal, particularly a possible requirement that fleets that do purchase the electric vehicles report to CARB on their performance.

CARB originally was considering a 2024 proposal requirement to apply to only Class 2 through Class 7 vehicles, but more recently has been looking at adding Class 8s into the mix.

“CARB is cognizant that there’s a danger if they get this wrong. They could impact the electric truck market going forward,” Tunnell said. “So they want to make sure this rule accelerates the deployment of the most promising applications for this technology.”

Arneja said CARB is looking mostly at those vehicle segments that are most suited for electrification.

“We’re mostly concentrating at first on classes 2-7,” Arneja said. “Class 8 we still have not figured out what to do there. We’re undecided at this point.”

Arneja added, “We have seen a lot of announcements from the major truck manufacturers like Peterbilt, Volvo and Freightliner, beyond just the newer startups. They’re all looking at this technology seriously.” READ MORE