Maxus will launch an all-electric tractor unit in the UK by 2024 with a driving range of up to 560km.
Harris Group, UK distributor for the Maxus range, are behind the plans for a 4x2 tractor unit development vehicle that will undergo trials in the UK next year before production vehicle deliveries begin in Q3 of 2024. Several high-profile own-account operators are already said to be interested in trialling the vehicle during its pre-production testing, which is scheduled for late 2023 and early 2024.
The chassis for the test vehicle will be based on the Iveco S-WAY that is currently built for the Chinese market, a joint venture between the Italian manufacturer and Maxus’ parent company SAIC Motor, with swappable battery packs from Contemporary Amperex Technology located behind the cab.
The UK development vehicle will use the same driveline, but batteries will likely be chassis-mounted to enable it to run a standard trailer without exceeding overall maximum length limits.
The 4x2 tractor is expected to be plated at 42 tonnes, rather than 40 tonnes for a 5-axle combination, making use of the special derogation for electric vehicles. Lower GCW vehicles plated at 18 tonnes and 26 tonnes will also be launched using the same chassis and driveline.
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Could prove popular if running into that London, depending on the price point of course.
Saic already have a lot of experience with battery power, albeit not trucks but it’s scalable.
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Can these electric vehicles run a PTO?
A range of “up to” 560km, provided you don’t use the lights, heater, windscreen wipers or go up any hills etc. Otherwise 150km.
Judehamish:
Can these electric vehicles run a PTO?
They`d have some power to run an electric motor…
Blowing a powder tank? Relatively low work load but for a longish time? Just like m-way cruising.
Tipping a trailer a few times? After all that is only raising 25tons a few feet, albeit quite quickly, and a truck battery raises the whole rig that far up hills multiple times.
It would all reduce range of course, but with the correct kit, why not?
Harry Monk:
A range of “up to” 560km, provided you don’t use the lights, heater, windscreen wipers or go up any hills etc. Otherwise 150km.
The maths are against them Harry.
At best that distance takes 35 gallons of diesel = 420 kWh.Probably more in the real world.
EV batteries weigh around 800 kgs for 200 kWh.
Bearing in mind that all vehicle heating is included in the ICE figure from the ‘waste’ engine heat unlike an EV.
Using regenerative braking would also require additional super capacitor weight in addition to the batteries.
Allowing LHVs would be a game changer in that equation though.A 3 or 4 axle rigid could easily be dedicated to carrying 5t of combined battery and super capacitor weight leaving plenty of payload potential.with a 45ft 5 or 6 axle drawbar.
Megawatt charging is just around the corner for HGV’s with a Scania unit already been used in trials to charge at more than 1 megawatt charging rate. New triangular plug was designed for the MCS (megawatt charging system). insideevs.com/news/592360/megaw … cs-launch/
lancpudn:
Megawatt charging is just around the corner for HGV’s with a Scania unit already been used in trials to charge at more than 1 megawatt charging rate. New triangular plug was designed for the MCS (megawatt charging system). insideevs.com/news/592360/megaw … cs-launch/
Does that mean it can charge at 500kwh in 30 minutes ?.
If it’s ‘already’ in use why is it around the corner.What are the heat losses at that rate assuming the batteries don’t explode.
My guess is that at least 3t of battery capacity,preferably 6t, charged at 500 kWh or even 200 kWh per hour per hour would easily cut it.‘If’ the government allows the Scandinavian drawbar configuration.
All moot at 50p per kWh + road fuel tax and 20% VAT even if the batteries could withstand that rate of charge doubtful.That would require a total super capacitor based system and they cost a lot more than standard lithium batteries.
They maybe ok on London Distriubrution work.
I can see in a few years, lots of RDCs popping up on the outskirts of the M25, where loads from conventional trucks are dropped (even a trailer drop), and transferred to these all electric contraptions, where there range plated will be better suited and not be too far away from the mothership when it needs a re-charge.