Aussie SEA Electric granted patent for Commercial EV management system
SEA Electric make fully electric commercial vehicles and are quickly gaining international attention. While the sexy consumer battles of Tesla vs Porsche get plenty of headlines, the transition of commercial vehicles to electric powertrains is likely more difficult challenge and one Australians are not shying away from.
The Aussie company achieved another important milestone this week, with the successful granting of the patent for its SEA-Drive technology in Australia. The ‘Management System for Commercial Electric Vehicles’ patent was granted on the 28th of February 2020 after the initial submission on the 18th April 2017 (yep, our patent office works quickly).
The patent
The patent covers a management system for a commercial electric vehicle (EV), comprising:
- A controller area network (CAN) comprising a plurality of CAN buses connected to a plurality of components of the EV.
- A vehicle controller connected to the CAN and configured to monitor and/or control the plurality of components of the EV based on CAN signals.
Wherein the plurality of CAN buses and their respective components comprise:
- A drive CAN bus connected to a motor controller system comprising a motor controller connected to an electric motor.
- A battery CAN bus connected to a battery system comprising a high−voltage (HV) battery.
- A telematics CAN bus connected to a telematics system.
Wherein the vehicle controller is further configured to:
- Measure operating temperature of the motor controller and adjust the speed of a cooling pump and a radiator fan to maintain a predetermined operating temperature.
- Monitor a state of battery contactors of the HV battery and optimize an amount of time required to start the EV.
The milestone is the culmination of many years of research, product development and system optimization. This was reached after tens of thousands of miles of testing on SEA Electric’s generation 1 power-system technology, combined with the now patented generation 2 power-system, known as SEA-Drive.
The company now has more than a million miles of performance validation data to show it’s benefits of performance, cost and weight.
“Our overnight success has been almost a decade in the making and is a credit to the incredible team built by SEA Electric. Australian Universities have recognized the importance of this automotive segment and have invested in producing some of the best electric vehicle engineering talent in the world.
Our employees are practically, intellectually and emotionally invested in finding solutions to the real-world problems associated with hydrocarbon fueled commercial vehicles.”
SEA Electric’s Founder and President, Tony Fairweather reflects.
SEA Electric’s SEA-Drive technology is patent pending in another 15 countries/regions, and it is expected further approvals like Australia’s will come into effect throughout 2020.
“With the granting of this patent, SEA Electric further enhances its reputation as a Commercial Electric Vehicle innovator and disruptor. The SEA-Drive technology is designed to exceed the unique performance requirements of commercial vehicles and it is a proven alternative power train to existing hydrocarbon fueled solutions.
SEA Electric is continuing to develop, enhance and deploy its electric SEA-Drive technology in collaboration with like-minded OEM’s across a range of van and truck-based platforms in all major global markets.” Glen Walker, Regional Director for SEA Electric’s Oceania Region. READ MORE
Techau, Posted by Jason Cartwright on March 2, 2020
- Published in Articles, E-Range, Media Release, News, SEA-Drive, Technology, Uncategorized
First electric-powered kerbside collection truck for SA
Picture: PLUGGED IN, East Waste GM Rob Gregory said the new Acco EV is much cheaper to run than a conventional truck in the long-term.
SOUTH Australia’s first electric-powered kerbside collection truck is now operating on the streets of metropolitan Adelaide.
East Waste General Manager Rob Gregory said the new truck replaces a diesel-powered truck and, with zero emissions, will remove from our suburban streets the equivalent of 20 vehicles generating 63 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
The truck is the first in a fleet replacement program and is supplied by an Australian company, Superior Pak, using drivetrain technology from another Australian company, SEA Electric.
It cost about $550,000, which is $150,000 more than a diesel truck. The extra investment will return financial savings along with a raft of environmental benefits.
“It is much more than a terrific environmental initiative by East Waste,” said Mr Gregory.
“It will deliver financial gain to better manage the cost of kerbside collections of recyclable resources and waste. We conservatively project that our new electric vehicle will save more than $220,000 over the seven-year life of its diesel predecessor. Even with the extra $150,000 purchase price, that is a $70,000 saving.”
The cost savings will be greater if, as expected, diesel prices continue to climb. Moreover, with significantly fewer moving parts than a conventional motor, the new truck is expected to last longer than seven years.
Maintenance costs will be reduced by at least two-thirds. The truck’s drivetrain generates electricity each time it reduces speed, returning charge to the batteries and reducing wear and tear; specially to brake pads.
“Residents will fall in love with our new truck without realising it,” said Mr Gregory.
“With reduced air pollution comes the removal of noise pollution as the truck travels from house to house on bin collection day. It is almost silent.”
East Waste installed a 36kw solar system at its Ottaway depot to provide renewable energy to charge the truck’s batteries every day.
East Waste is a subsidiary of seven metropolitan Adelaide councils; the cities of Burnside, Campbelltown, Mitcham, Norwood, Payneham & St Peters and Prospect, the Town of Walkerville and the Adelaide Hills Council.
24th Feb 2020 7:30 AM, Big Rigs
- Published in Articles, Media Release, News, SEA-Drive, Technology, Uncategorized
SEA Electric powers ahead in the United States
Australian automotive technology company SEA Electric continues to power ahead in the United States opening a new California based office and expanding their Senior Sales team.
The new 12,000 square foot facility in Torrance, Los Angeles will act as the commercial EV hub for the California area. On the back of accepting large multiple EV truck orders from customers on the West Coast in 2019, the new SEA facility will provide a state-of-the-art delivery and maintenance center.
SEA Electric’s founder and President Tony Fairweather said “we are excited to add this important Torrance facility to our ever-expanding global footprint. California is a progressive, early adopter of our technology. We are proud to return that support with this facility.”
In another important step forward for the SEA Electric USA team Steve Brooks has been appointed as Vice President of Sales – North America.
Mr Brooks brings a wealth of trucking experience to the SEA Electric team with over 30 years’ in the medium/heavy duty trucking industry. As an accomplished professional Mr Brooks has been dedicated to supporting organizational excellence with a commitment to continuous product improvement, organisational development and customer success leading to spectacular outcomes in the fleet industry. Mr Brooks’ transformation leadership skills is a timely addition to a fast-growing SEA Electric USA division.
Mr Brooks has earned his undergraduate degree in Organizational Leadership from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Redlands in Redlands, CA.
SEA Electric enjoyed tremendous growth in the United States in 2019 and would like to thank our valued customers for their support. Our 2019 successes and strong order bank provide a solid platform for expansion during 2020. New model releases, OEM partnerships, and many trade shows will ensure an exciting future. SEA Electric is also participating in CARB Certification in California and NYSERDA Certification in New York State, being the first commercial EV provider approved for Class 4 to Class 6 EV solutions on NYSERDA.
February 3, 2020
- Published in Articles, Media Release, News, SEA-Drive, Technology, Uncategorized
