Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸Apr 15

Remember that time Elon said he was making a semi-truck? 😂😂

Anyway, here's a real company making a real-life truck.
Up to 600km range.
20-80% fill in 50-85min
six-speed transmission
13-tonne axle
GCW of up to 48T with payload of 28T.

These are the things we need to be doing for those “last mile" applications where electrified (catenary) rail is not possible.

The preview doesn't seem to be happening on the Inside EV website so I added a screenshot.

https://insideevs.com/news/793045/volvo-trucks-fh-aero-electric-extended-range/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Here's the actual Volvo product page with a ton more details, pictures, video etc.

https://www.volvotrucks.com/en-en/trucks/electric/volvo-fh-aero-electric.html

#Cars #EV #Truck #Trucking #Electrification

Show threadMike Taylor 🦕
@chris I thought part of the appeal of EVs was that they didn't have a transmission at all?
Apr 15 at 3:59pmWeb
Show threadChris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸Apr 15
@mike ya I found that interesting as well. Maybe they found that in heavy-hauling, it still made sense to have a transmission. I'd be interested to know how it works, it could be that it isn't a transmission at all, or that it works in a different way.
Show threadChris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸Apr 15

@mike The Volvo site has some cool images of the power unit. Looks like it is highly integrated with the dual electric motors.

"The Volvo FH Aero Electric has a powerful and energy-efficient drive unit that integrates the driveline, power electronics, and transmission. With two electric motors and an eight speed transmission with powershift, you get seamless gear shifting and smoother acceleration.”

https://www.volvotrucks.com/en-en/trucks/electric/volvo-fh-aero-electric.html

Volvo FH Aero Electric

Volvo FH Electric is a flexible heavy-duty truck with high payload capabilities, great for city-to-city deliveries, construction site haulage, and long-range assignments.

Show threadLeroyApr 15

@chris @mike maybe it’s more like a software override?

“Traffic is a standstill, might as well stay in first gear” type of stuff, to minimize battery drain.

Show threadChris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸Apr 15
@leroy @mike could be. the volvo site highlights some interesting automated feature like an "auto-go" that limits the speed to 1.5 kph when releasing the brake. It does repeat in multiple ways that there some sort of transmission though so there must be something mechanical in there too!
Show threadAnders Cornelius MadsenApr 15

@leroy @chris @mike

I know that Mercedes use two-speed transmissions in their newest and most efficient model EVs - perhaps efficiency could be the target here as well?

Show threadJohan EmpaApr 15

@mike @chris
@leroy

Apparently there are some benefits with it such as smaller motor and reduced battery size.

"EV transmission ... offers significantly greater efficiency at high speeds and increased torque at launch and low speeds"

pdf: https://www.eaton.com/content/dam/eaton/products/emobility/power-systems/eaton-ev-transmissions-brochure-emob0003-en.pdf

Show threadMike Taylor 🦕Apr 15
@JohanEmpa @chris @leroy Interesting, thank you!