The Fleet Business Authority
Issue link: http://heavydutytrucking.epubxp.com/i/307131
i Is electricity a fuel? Sure, even if we call it "power." Electricity itself is far cheaper than any petroleum or gaseous fuel, and the motors it pow- ers have many advantages for propul- sion – high efficiency, tremendous torque, quietness and cleanliness, at least in the vehicle itself. The big limitation with electric cars and trucks is range, which is restricted by battery capacity. Various types of lithium-ion batteries, so far the best kind for these applications, deliver 75 to 100 miles of operation, which is enough for many city routes. However, batteries remain expensive, driving up the vehicles' cost. Prices for commercial electric trucks can be twice that of conventionally driven versions, but very low maintenance requirements and negligible down- time for electric vehicles, or EVs, can pay for them in time. Not many battery electric trucks have been sold in the U.S., but low-volume manufacturers have been hanging on. Among them is Smith Electric, maker of the Newton and Edison trucks, which recently stopped production at its plant in Kansas City, Mo. Its CEO, Bryan Hansel, called it a "pause," and said he will soon announce 26 HDT • MAY 2014 www.truckinginfo.com FuelSmarts Electric vehicles zoom in Indy Cargo van, flatbed chassis among Green Truck Ride-and-Drive at Work Truck Show Tom Berg • Senior Editor The Zenith van is a Ram ProMaster with the gasoline powertrain replaced with a battery electric drive system. The interior is as Chrysler made it, except push buttons replace a shifter lever and an ammeter is where the tachometer was. PHOTOS BY TOM BERG F u e l s m a r t s _ M a y . i n d d 2 6 Fuel smarts_May.indd 26 4 / 3 0 / 1 4 1 2 : 2 9 P M 4/30/14 12:29 PM