Tesla is working on an electric truck, something that has been widely discussed in the media worldwide recently. However, electric trucks in the heavy segment (above 16 tonnes) are not new. Not only are all kinds of companies developing such vehicles, but (converted) electric trucks in this segment have been supplied by Dutch company EMOSS Mobile Systems for years. What are examples of electric trucks currently being developed or already available? And what makes Tesla's much-discussed truck special?
For some time now, several companies have been working on electric trucks in the heavy segment (above 16 tonnes). In 2016, for instance, Daimler announced the Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck, an all-electric truck with a maximum weight of 26 tonnes and a range of up to 200 kilometres. In addition, US manufacturer of diesel engines Cummins, among others, unveiled an electric truck in August. It is a 140kW tractor with a maximum weight of 34 tonnes and a range of around 160 kilometres as standard. It is possible to add additional batteries to the powertrain, which could increase the range to 480 kilometres. This is a concept vehicle, which will not be sold by Cummins. The company plans to supply the powertrain to bus and truck manufacturers.
MAN eTruck, VDL and Boonstra Transport
MAN is also betting on electric trucks. The company presented an all-electric prototype truck in February with the MAN eTruck, developed by MAN in cooperation with the German Council for Sustainable Logistics. The company plans to focus on developing trucks in the segment between 12 and 26 tonnes. Bus manufacturer VDL additionally announced in 2016 its commitment to electric trucks. Based on chassis and cabs from DAF, the company will produce electric trucks with a total weight of up to 37 tonnes. The range of these vehicles will be around 100 kilometres.
Incidentally, Dutch company Boonstra Transport took delivery of the world's first 44-tonne electric truck in May. Built by Framo, this vehicle has a range of 130 kilometres. Wierda Hybrid Technologies was involved in putting this vehicle on the road and takes care of the electric truck's maintenance. EMOSS Mobile Systems has also been converting 'standard' trucks into electric trucks in our country for many years. In the heavy-duty segment, for instance, the company currently supplies the EMS 16 series and the EMS 18 series, both of which are based on MAN trucks. The EMS 16 series has a maximum weight of 16 tonnes, a 200 to 250 kW engine and a range of 125 to 210 kilometres. The EMS 18 series features a 250 kW engine, has a maximum weight of 18 tonnes and a range of 100 to 250 kilometres.
Tesla
So in addition, Tesla is also developing an electric truck. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, first showed an image of this truck at the TED Conference in Canada's Vancouver in April, which is expected to be officially announced this month. Official information about the truck is unfortunately still missing. However, Scott Perry, vice president of supply management and global fuel products for US-based Ryder Systems, tells Reuters news agency that this truck will have a range of 200 to 300 miles, which translates to about 320 to 480 kilometres. Perry says he is basing this on a meeting with Tesla employees earlier this year, during which discussions were held about the technology in the vehicle. Tesla, incidentally, would not confirm this rumour.
Notable about Tesla's electric truck is the rumour that this vehicle will be able to drive autonomously. In addition, correspondence between Tesla and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the US states of Nevada and California was recently leaked. Reuters has seen the correspondence and, based on it, reports that Tesla's truck will not only be electric, but should also be able to drive autonomously. This will make use of 'truck platooning', a technology in which vehicles communicate with each other while driving at a safe short distance from each other. In doing so, the vehicles automatically maintain the correct distance and drive in sync with the truck in front. Tesla has asked the DMV in both US states for permission to conduct tests of autonomous trucks without a human in the cab.
Einride
Besides Tesla, incidentally, Swedish startup Einride is also working on an electric AND autonomous truck. This vehicle is called the T-Pod and has a maximum weight of 20 tonnes. The T-Pod should not only be able to drive autonomously, but also be controlled remotely by a driver. It is not known when Einride expects to market the T-Pod. The company presented a prototype of the vehicle in Sweden in July.
So we can conclude that electric trucks are not new. What is new, however, are electric trucks equipped with autonomous technology. For now, only Tesla and Sweden's Einride are working on this combination.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Source: MAN
Source: Daimler
Source: Cummins
Source: VDL
Source: Boonstra Transport
Source: EMOSS Mobile Systems
Source: Reuters
Source: Einride
