Renewable Revolution

August 1st, 2017 by Steve Hanley

This story about electric trucks was first published on Gas2.

SNIPPET:

With the electric car revolution getting a big boost last week with the official introduction of the Tesla Model 3, it may seem as though the world is well on its way to pollution-free transportation. But outside the limelight that shines on the latest EV drag race and claims of cars with 1,000 horsepower or more, the real focus of clean transportation advocates is on electric trucks, the workhorses that carry freight and cargo.



The International Energy Agency believes keeping global temperature rises below 2° Celsius depends in large part upon the electrification of some 600 million vehicles worldwide — half of them trucks. “In Europe, less than 5% of vehicles are commercial vehicles or heavy duty trucks, but they contribute to almost 20% of greenhouse gas emissions,” says Ananth Srinivasan, mobility expert with research consultancy Frost & Sullivan.

Agelbert NOTE: Trucks made by FAW in China are BIG Trucks, not pickup trucks.

In Melbourne, Australia,  SEA Automotive is busy adding electric powertrains to trucks manufactured in China by FAW. Tony Fairweather, CEO of SEA Automotive, says his firm realized a few years ago that electric commercial vehicles were becoming economically viable much faster than predicted. “The components are cheaper every time we go to buy. There’s not many industries where that happens.”

* The Workhorse W-15 is the first plug-in range extended electric pickup built from the ground up by an OEM. Lithium ion battery cells from Panasonic provide an 80 mile all‑electric range, while the onboard generator works to recharge while driving to get the job done.  The W-15 chassis sets a new technology standard for fleet vehicle tech.
 http://workhorse.com/pickup/

Electric cars may drive 10 miles one day and 100 miles the next. They may also be used for long-distance trips occasionally. But a truck usually follows a predictable daily route where the range needed is known in advance. That means most owners of electric trucks don’t need to worry about recharging their vehicles out on the road. That can be done at the end of the work day with charging equipment installed at the home location.

Read More:

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/08/01/want-cut-carbon-dioxide-emissions-electric-trucks-critical/