AFV Truck/Commercial Vehicle topic

Toshiba delivers mobile 30 kW hydrogen fuel-cell system to fuel-cell ship

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. . . The fuel cell system’s volume per unit power output is reduced to 1/3 compared to a stationary fuel cell system due to its simplified design and improvements in packaging.

The fuel cell ship, which passed the Temporary Navigation Permit Inspection of Japan Craft Inspection Organization in October, has started demonstrations of the verification by NREG (Nomura Real Estate Group) TOSHIBA BUILDING Corporation and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT).

The newly mobile 30 kW pure hydrogen fuel cells system developed by Toshiba ESS will be available to install for vessels, railways and trucks. The system produces less noise compared to standard ship engines, and it starts generating power in one minute at the shortest.

The system complies with the safety guidelines formulated by MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan). . . .

This time, a fuel cell ship equipped with the larger 30kW pure hydrogen fuel cell system, will test the use of pure hydrogen fuel cell systems at sea. The trials will be followed with further investigations. The achievements from this validation experiment will be verified using the safety guidelines for fuel cell ships by the MLIT. . . .

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AKASOL to supply battery systems for Alstom’s hydrogen trains

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AKASOL will supply battery systems for more than 40 Coradia iLint hydrogen trains (earlier post), which have been ordered from Alstom by the Lower Saxony Transit Authority and the Rhine/Main Regional Transport Association. . . .

The first battery systems (including heating and cooling equipment, cables and underfloor box) are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2020, and all 40 systems are expected to be delivered by 2021. . . .

Each Coradia iLint train is equipped with two high-performance battery systems with a total capacity of 220 kWh. . . .

The battery system can be charged in a very short time due to its high 3C charging power and features high cycle life and effective thermal management.

The Coradia iLint has been conducting in successful passenger service between Cuxhaven and Buxtehude since September 2018. Since then, it has already traveled more than 150,000 kilometers. . . .

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Hyundai and Kia make €100M strategic investment in Arrival to co-develop electric commercial vehicles

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Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation today made a strategic investment of €100 million (US $110 million) in a new partnership with Arrival, a UK-based electric vehicle startup (earlier post). Of the total investment, Hyundai will contribute €80 million; Kia €20 million.

Through the partnership, Hyundai and Kia plan to introduce competitively priced small and medium-sized electric vans and other products for logistics, on-demand ride-hailing and shuttle service companies. Arrival’s scalable electric platform can be adapted for multiple vehicle categories and types which Arrival, Hyundai and Kia will explore for the development of a range of Purpose Built Vehicles (PBV). . . .

Founded in 2015, Arrival has production plants and R&D centers in the US, Germany, Tel Aviv, Russia and the UK. The company’s strength lies in its skateboard vehicle platform with a modular component structure, a cost-effective base which incorporates a battery pack, electric motor and driveline components.

Fully-scalable to accommodate multiple vehicle types, the platform can be used to accelerate vehicle development to meet diverse customer needs. Currently, Arrival is carrying out pilot projects with multiple logistics companies in Europe using cargo vans manufactured with the technology. . . .

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Amazon adds 40 Streetscooter and 10 Mercedes-Benz eVito electric vans to Munich fleet

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. . . The eVito features an installed battery capacity of 41 kWh, offering a range of between 150 and 184 km. The battery-electric drive delivers 85 kW of output and can reach a torque figure of up to 295 N·m which is optimally tailored to urban operations. The top speed can be configured according to the intended use at the time of ordering.

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Daimler developing battery-electric version of Econic HD truck; customer testing in 2021, series production in 2022

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. . . The eEconic is based on the eActros electric truck for heavy distribution, which will already go into series production in 2021.

The eEconic will at first be offered in the configuration 6x2/N NLA and will mainly be in demand as a waste-collection vehicle. Battery-electric trucks are very well suited for urban use in waste management due to the comparatively short and plannable daily routes of up to 100 kilometers with a high proportion of stop-and-go in inner-city traffic. With an anticipatory driving style, electrical energy can be recovered during braking to charge the battery, which further improves range and efficiency. . . .

The low-positioned “DirectVision cab” with a panoramic windscreen and glazed passenger door gives the driver direct visual contact with vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians – a crucial safety criterion in road traffic.

The driver is supported by a large number of intelligent safety-assistance systems such as Sideguard Assist. Driver and crew get in and out of the vehicle using only two steps on the side facing away from traffic. This makes exiting the cab safe and helps to avoid accidents. The comfortable standing height in the interior also facilitates access. . . .

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Study puts cost of decarbonizing shipping by 2050 at ~$1.4-$1.9T; largest investment needed in land-based systems

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A new study by University Maritime Advisory Services (UMAS) and Energy Transitions Commission (ETC) prepared for the Global Maritime Forum for the Getting to Zero Coalition, estimates that the cumulative investment needed between 2030 and 2050 to halve shipping’s CO2 emissions amounts to approximately $1-1.4 trillion—an average of $50 billion to $70 billion annually for 20 years.

The report authors note that these figures should be viewed in the context of annual global investments in energy, which in 2018 alone amounted to US$1.85 trillion. The global shipping fleet accounts for ~2.2% of CO2 emissions.

If shipping is to fully decarbonize by 2050, this will require further investments of some $400 billion over 20 years, bringing the total to $1.4 trillion to $1.9 trillion.

The estimate of investments required is based on ammonia (NH3) being the primary zero carbon fuel choice adopted by the shipping industry as it moves towards zero carbon fuels. (Earlier post.) Under different assumptions, hydrogen, synthetic methanol, or other fuels may displace ammonia’s projected dominance, but the magnitude of investments needed will not significantly change for these other fuels.

To avoid shifting emissions upstream, efforts to decarbonize shipping also include the decarbonization of fuel production. The analysis is therefore based on the use of low/zero carbon hydrogen as input to the production of ammonia.

The UMAS and ETC analysis finds that the largest share of investments is needed in the land-based infrastructure and production facilities for low-carbon fuels—around 87% of the total. This includes investments in the production of low-carbon fuels, and the land-based storage and bunkering infrastructure needed for their supply. The investments needed depend on the production method for the hydrogen used to produce ammonia.

Only 13% of the investments needed are related to the ships themselves, which include the machinery and onboard storage required for a ship to run on low carbon fuels in newbuilds and, in some cases, for retrofits.

Ship-related investments also include investments in improving energy efficiency, which are estimated to grow due to the higher cost of low carbon fuels compared to traditional marine fuels.

This makes the challenge of decarbonizing the shipping sector a whole system challenge and not something just for shipping, the report says. Given the majority of investment is on land, any R&D fund needs to enable deployment and scaling of the land-side, and not just work on equipment for ships.

The risk is that we end up with a fleet of zero-emission ships, no decarbonization of fuel production (e.g. producing ammonia using natural gas) and then shift the emissions upstream. . . .

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Dutch-Belgian truck company orders five Proton HyRange hydrogen fuel-cell systems for refuse trucks; EU project REVIVE

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. . . The tender, which runs from 2018 to 2021, aims to build and put into operation 15 electric vehicles for the collection of waste in Europe. To increase the range, the vehicles will be equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system.

As a member of the consortium to which the REVIVE project was assigned, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH is to supply of a total of 14 fuel cell systems to equip refuse collection vehicles. Their public application and usage qualities are being tested in eight different regions or cities such as Breda, Helmond, Amsterdam, Groningen, Roosendaal, Antwerp and Bozen or Meran in South Tyrol.

The modular system design of the HyRange allows OEM partners to integrate the system into a variety of different orientations. By adjusting the performance of the fuel cell system and the application-specific design of the battery, the hybrid solution can be varied between a pure plug-in hybrid operation and pure range extender operation.

The dimensioning of the on-board energy systems can be optimized to the respective needs of individual customers. Power requirements greater than 30 kW can be addressed by combining the standard modules.

The Belgian-Dutch co-operative venture Waterstofnet (Hydrogen Network) promotes and supervises this collaboration with the support of Interreg Flanders – the Netherlands. E-Trucks Europe has observed an increase in demand for hydrogen refuse lorries from local governments, particularly for the urban collection of rubbish.

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Amazon to deploy 10,000 electric delivery rickshaws in India by 2025

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. . . This commitment comes after successful pilots across different cities in 2019; learnings from these pilots have helped the company create scalable and long term EV variants to build this large fleet.

These EVs are in addition to the global commitment of 100,000 electric vehicles in the delivery fleet by 2030 announced in the Climate Pledge signed by Amazon. (Earlier post.) Amazon ordered 100,000 electric delivery vehicles from Rivian—the largest single order yet of electric delivery vehicles—with vans slated to start delivering packages to customers in 2021.

The fleet of 10,000 EVs in India will include 3-wheeler and 4-wheeler vehicles which have been designed and manufactured in India. In 2020, these vehicles will operate in more than 20 cities of India, including Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Nagpur and Coimbatore. . . .

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Equinor contracts for first green-ammonia-fueled supply vessel; 2MW SOFC

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Norway-based energy company Equinor has contracted with Eidesvik Offshore for the Viking Energy supply vessel, which is being retrofitted to make it capable of covering long distances fueled by carbon-free ammonia. The vessel will transport supplies to installations on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).

Equinor awarded Eidesvik Offshore a five-year contract with effect from April 2020, when the current contract expires. The Viking Energy supply vessel will in the contract period be part of a research project developing, installing and testing long-distance sailing propelled by a carbon-free-ammonia-fueled 2 MW solid-oxide fuel-cell (SOFC) system.

This is the first time an ammonia-powered fuel cell will be installed on a vessel. A significant part of the project will be the scale up of a 100-kilowatt fuel cell to 2 megawatts. The ammonia fuel-cell system will be installed in Viking Energy in late 2023. The technology will be tested on the vessel from 2024.

Ammonia (NH3) is produced by combining hydrogen and nitrogen in air. Hydrogen can be produced both from natural gas and from renewable sources through electrolysis. Hydrogen for this project will be produced by Yara through electrolysis.

The project will test whether the technology can deliver 100% carbon-free power over long distances (up to 3,000 hours of sailing annually). According to the project plans, ammonia will meet 60 to 70 percent of the power requirement on board for a test period of one year. Viking Energy will still be able to use LNG as fuel, and the remaining power requirement will be met by battery. . . .

Ammonia research on Viking Energy has a total budget of NOK 230 million (US$25.6 million), a substantial part of which is EU funded. The partners also have a good dialogue with Innovasjon Norge and Enova about potential additional funding of the project.

A recent study by A.P. Moller - Maersk and Lloyds Register found that alcohol, biomethane and ammonia are the best-positioned fuels to reach zero net emissions for shipping. (Earlier post.)

Last week, MISC Berhad, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), Lloyd’s Register and MAN Energy Solutions announced they are working together on a joint development project (JDP) for an ammonia-fueled tanker to support shipping’s drive towards a decarbonized future. (Earlier post.) . . .

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DOE sets technical targets for hydrogen fuel-cell long-haul Class 8 trucks

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. . . These hydrogen targets were developed for the long-haul use case, assuming trucks can be driven the maximum daily range (750 miles) between refueling. Other use cases will be considered for battery-powered trucks that can be driven for 250 to 500 miles between charging events, where charging opportunities may exist at hubs, delivery points, or destinations.

The US market for Class 8 trucks is large and growing. The long-haul use case is important as 40% of Class 8 trucks travel between 250 and 750 average miles per workday (261 days per year), covering 70% of tractor trailer mileage.

Fuel-cell technology is emerging as an attractive platform for larger weight classes such as medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. Hydrogen can offer high gravimetric energy storage density and fast refueling/recharging times, enabling longer driving range and higher vehicle utilization factors.

The high energy storage density offered by these hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles provides sufficient vehicle range to meet at least 95% of the daily routes based on preliminary analysis of data collected from US Census survey results and real-world drive cycle data collection.

Additionally, overnight hotel loads can use power produced from the same fuel cell used for primary traction power in conjunction with the powertrain’s hybrid battery storage, eliminating the need for auxiliary power generation.

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Orange County unveils 10 new fuel-cell-electric buses along with debut of US’ largest public transport hydrogen fueling station

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The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) unveiled ten new hydrogen fuel-cell-electric Xcelsior CHARGE H2 heavy-duty transit buses in Santa Ana, California. The order was previously announced in April 2018, at that time becoming the US’ largest procurement and deployment of fuel cell-electric buses.

The hydrogen-fueled buses will be strategically integrated into the OC Bus fleet to operate in communities that serve disadvantaged populations. OCTA is also in the process of purchasing 10 plug-in battery electric buses, which are expected to be in operation beginning in 2021.

New Flyer manufactures the Xcelsior CHARGE H2 in forty- and sixty-foot lengths. The Xcelsior CHARGE H2 for OCTA is able to achieve in excess of 300 miles of zero-emission range without refueling.

New Flyer fuel cell buses use a battery-dominant hybrid architecture, in which the batteries are large enough to handle all vehicle performance needs while the fuel cell acts as a continuous battery charger to extend the range of the vehicle. Fuel cells do not have a need for replacement or lengthy recharging when its fuel is spent. Additionally, since fuel cells store their fuel in external storage tanks, the maximum operating range of a fuel cell-powered device is limited only by the amount of fuel that can be carried.

In addition to launching the ten Xcelsior CHARGE H2 buses into service, OCTA also debuted the largest hydrogen fueling station in the US for public transportation, showcasing its $22.6-million investment in zero-emission transit.

The project is also a partnership with Air Products, which designed and provided enabling equipment for the hydrogen fueling station and will provide maintenance and hydrogen fuel. Trillium was contracted for construction, operations and maintenance of the fueling station. Ballard worked on the hydrogen fuel cell electric technology on the buses. Fiedler Group engineered upgrades to maintenance facilities to safely service hydrogen-fueled buses. . . .

OCTA and New Flyer are partners in the Fuel Cell Electric Bus Commercialization Consortium project (FCEBCC) funded by CARB through the statewide initiative known as California Climate Investments (CCI). To date, the funding award of $12.47 million is the largest single grant from CARB to a transit agency, supporting CARB’s statewide mandate that public transit agencies transition to 100 percent zero-emission bus fleets by 2040.

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Volvo Buses receives order for 60 high-capacity electric buses from Malmö

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. . The electric high-capacity buses ordered by Nobina in Malmö are of the Volvo 7900 Electric Articulated model, which was launched in autumn 2019. They can carry up to 150 passengers and are 80% more energy-efficient than corresponding diesel models.

The buses are propelled by dual electric motors with a two-speed transmission. Maximum power output is 2x200 kW, maximum torque is 31 kN·m at the driven axle.

The Lithium-ion batteries have up to 396 kWh energy storage capacity.

Their batteries can be quick-charged via OppCharge stations located on the bus route, or they can be charged when the buses are parked in the depot. . . .

Delivery of the 60 electric buses will start in January 2021 and all the buses will be delivered by April the same year. They will operate on route 5 and 7 in Malmö. . . .

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King County Metro to purchase up to 120 battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE buses from New Flyer

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King County Metro (Metro)—the public transit authority of King County, Washington, which includes the city of Seattle—has agreed to purchase 40 sixty-foot battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE heavy-duty transit buses from New Flyer, with plans to order an additional 80 battery-electric buses in the coming year. . . .

The buses Metro will purchase both have a battery size of 466 kWh. . . .

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Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans deploys 6 plug-in hybrid pickups from XL Fleet

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In order to advance its fleet electrification and emissions reduction goals, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) has deployed six new XL plug-in hybrid electric Ford F-150 pickup trucks to its fleet. . . .

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TDK Ventures invests in electric air mobility company AutoFlightX; eVTOL air-cargo and air-taxi

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TDK Corporation subsidiary TDK Ventures Inc. has invested in AutoFlightX, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air mobility company. AutoFlightX is an eVTOL air-cargo and air-taxi company headquartered in Munich, with R&D centers in Shanghai and Shenzhen, China. . . .

According to TDK Ventures’ Managing Director Nicolas Sauvage, the CVC sought companies that combine avionics and drone expertise with strong unit economics, paired with solid business models in the eVTOL space. For TDK Ventures, the ideal company would unlock a spectrum of use cases in inspection, cargo delivery and emergency responses, all without requiring an installed charging infrastructure base.

AutoFlightX’s 50 kg platform can carry payloads of up to 20 kg and has a flight time of two to five hours continuous cruise. The company also has a pipeline of platforms that will carry up to 300 kg and can fly two to five hours, depending on the payload. . . .

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Wright Electric begins motor development program for 186-seat electric aircraft; 1.5MW motor, 3 kV inverter

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. . . Wright intends to conduct ground tests of its motor in 2021 and flight tests in 2023. The company expects entry into service of its flagship Wright 1 in 2030. . . .

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In Norway, Asko begins piloting use of hydrogen fuel-cell trucks

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Norwegian wholesaler Asko is among the first to operate a goods vehicle that runs on hydrogen, thanks to a collaborative effort by research scientists and industry. . . .

Electricity generated by solar panels installed across nine thousand square metres of roofing at Asko’s regional warehouse is being used to split water, producing emissions-free hydrogen fuel and oxygen.

The truck, developed in cooperation with Scania, features a 290 kW electric motor (210 kW continuous); a 2-speed transmission; 2,200 N·m peak torque; a 56 kWh Li-ion battery; and a 90 kW PEM fuel cell. The on-board charger is 22 kW AC with CCS charging interface, and hydrogen storage is 33 kg @350 bar. The vehicle can travel between 400 and 500 kilometers on a single refueling.

The aim here is not to use hydrogen for all goods transport. Battery power is in fact a more economical solution for light goods transport in urban areas.

In February, Asko will be operating four trucks running on hydrogen fuel. . . .

Asko’s aim is to achieve zero emissions from its 600 goods transport vehicles by 2026 – facilitated by battery-generated electricity and hydrogen. Pilots will be run in 2020 to test the technology, vehicle ranges and load capacities.

In addition to solar, Asko is a major industrial wind power producer. The company operates ten wind turbines and envisages expanding its hydrogen fuel production using some of these turbines in the Agder and Rogaland areas.

Asko will then be operating two hydrogen production centers supplying fuel to meet the needs of its vehicles in both south-west and mid- and northern Norway.

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US DOE and US Army issue solicitation to develop H2Rescue fuel-cell/battery hybrid truck

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An interagency collaboration between the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DoD) will support an opportunity to address disaster mitigation through the use of an advanced fuel truck technology concept known as H2Rescue. (Earlier post.)

The H2Rescue is a fuel cell/battery hybrid truck that first responders and the military can drive to disaster mitigation sites. It can provide sufficient hydrogen to provide power, heat, and even potable water for up to 72 hours.

This vehicle is to be a Class 5 or Class 6 truck, heavy-duty vocational vehicle. The envisioned fuel-cell/battery-powered hybrid emergency relief truck is to use a low temperature PEM fuel-cell/battery hybrid system to provide continuous electric power to meet emergency needs.

The truck is to operate on hydrogen fuel at pressures of either 350 bar (5,000 psi) or 700 bar (10,000 psi) with the ability to store enough hydrogen onboard to ensure the truck is capable of traveling 180 miles round trip to and from its emergency relief destination and then providing nominally 25kW of exportable power, at times sustained up to 72 hours.

Other advanced storage technologies may be envisioned in the future (e.g. cryo-compressed tanks and hydrogen carriers) but this FOA is limited to commercially available and road-certified compressed gaseous hydrogen storage tanks. The awardee will retain ownership of the vehicle at the end of the period of performance.

The solicitation (W81EWF20FOA0001) to support this opportunity can provide up to nearly $1 million in federal funds and requires an equal match of industry contributions.

The US Army Corps is leading the solicitation, which includes support from DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Fuel Cell Technologies Office and Vehicle Technologies Office, as well as DoD’s Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center. . . .

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Alstom signs first contract for battery-electric regional trains in Germany

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Alstom will manufacture, deliver and maintain until 2032 eleven Coradia Continental battery-electric trains for regional traffic on the Leipzig-Chemnitz route on behalf of VMS (Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen) and with the support of ZVNL (Zweckverband für den Nahverkehrsraum Leipzig), the two authorities responsible for this line.

The contract is worth approximately €100 million. Following this order, Alstom offers all types of traction systems on the market as well as the full range of emission-free drives, from efficient electric motors to hydrogen fuel cells and advanced battery traction.

Alstom has signed two contracts for hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered trains. The first one is for 14 trains in the German region of Lower Saxony. (Earlier post.) The second one, also in Germany, for 27 trains to the Frankfurt metropolitan area.

In 2014, Alstom had previously signed a contract with VMS for the delivery of 29 Coradia Continental electric regional trains (EMU). In order to bridge the 80 kilometers of non-electrified line between the cities of Chemnitz and Leipzig, the authority requested a battery-electric version (BEMU).

The new trains will enter service in 2023. . . .

The Coradia Continental BEMU trains will be similar to those already in service on the Dresden, Riesa and Zwickau routes. The main difference: they will also have high-performance batteries on the roof. The train, based on the proven Coradia Continental, builds on Alstom’s long experience in battery traction, gained with the Coradia iLint, Citadis trams and the Prima H3 locomotive.

The Coradia Continental BEMU has a range of up to 120 kilometers and can be operated under catenary as well as on non-electrified sections. The three-car-trains will be 56 meters long and equipped with 150 seats. They will have a top speed of 160 km/h in battery mode. The capacity of the batteries (high-power lithium-ion) is calculated to ensure catenary-free operation of the line Chemnitz-Leipzig without any sacrifice in performance or comfort.

Alstom’s Coradia range allows operators and transport authorities to offer their passengers regional trains that meet their needs and expectations, while demonstrating exemplary reliability and cost-effectiveness. Alstom has tailored the Coradia range to operate with all available emission-free power systems, from electric to battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cells.

The latter, the Coradia iLint, powered by fuel cells and offering performance comparable to a diesel train while emitting nothing but water, has been in passenger service in Germany for more than a year.

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IVECO, FPT and Nikola Motor Company announce future Nikola TRE production in Ulm, Germany

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. . . This strategic and exclusive heavy-duty truck partnership saw CNH Industrial taking a $250-million stake in Nikola as the lead Series D investor. (Earlier post.) The partnership announcement at the CNH Industrial Capital Markets Day in September 2019 was quickly followed in December with the unveiling of the Nikola TRE, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) heavy duty truck, which is the first step towards the fuel-cell electric (FCEV) model. . . .

Furthermore, the German Federal Government recently released its draft National Hydrogen Strategy, which has the aim of expanding the pioneering role of companies in hydrogen technologies. In this strategy, it commits a total of €2 billion to fund the hydrogen innovation program, including the development of the necessary distribution infrastructure.

In the first stage of the project, €40 million will be invested by the joint-venture company to upgrade the manufacturing facility, which will focus on final assembly of the vehicle. Start of production is anticipated within the first quarter of 2021, with deliveries of the Nikola TRE beginning in the same year.

The first models to enter production will be the battery-electric 4x2 and 6x2 articulated trucks with modular and scalable batteries with a capacity of up to 720 kWh and an electric powertrain that delivers up to 480 kW of continuous power output. . . .

Fuel-cell electric versions, built on the same platform, will be tested in the European Union-supported H2-Haul program during 2021 for an expected market launch in 2023. . . .

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ElringKlinger fuel cell stacks exceeded expectations in EU-funded GiantLeap; trailer-attached hydrogen range extender for electric buses

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Within the scope of EU-funded GiantLeap project, Bosch Engineering GmbH, together with VDL Enabling Transport Solutions b.v. and their partners, designed and built a fuel cell range extender system for battery-electric buses. The system is contained in a specially designed trailer to be attached to the tow hitch of any suited electric bus. . . .

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Williams Advanced Engineering developing battery system for Anglo American’s hydrogen-powered mine haul truck

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Global mining company, Anglo American, has engaged Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) to develop its new Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV): a 290-tonne electrically powered mining haul truck, which is set to be the world’s largest electrified vehicle. . . .

The FCEV haul truck will be powered by a hydrogen Fuel Cell Module (provided by Ballard, earlier post) paired with a WAE scalable high-power modular lithium-ion battery system.

This arrangement, which replaces the existing vehicle’s diesel engine, is controlled by a high voltage power distribution unit delivering in excess of 1,000 kWh of energy storage.

Offering significant peak power capability, it will also deliver the robustness seen in industrial diesel engines for harsh environments. The power units will be designed and built at WAE, in Grove, Oxfordshire, and integrated into an existing mining haul truck, with testing taking place later this year at the Mogalakwena platinum group metals mining operation in South Africa, Anglo American’s flagship PGMs mine.

Through regenerative braking, the battery system will be capable of recovering energy as the haul truck travels downhill. . . .

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Chronopost Orders 420 Volkswagen e-Crafter

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Chronopost is going electric in France with hundreds of Volkswagen e-Crafter.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles this month scored so far the largest single order for its all-electric Volkswagen e-Crafter - 420 units will be delivered within two years to Chronopost, the French express shipping and delivery service (part of La Poste).

The e-Crafter was selected after extensive tests, but it's still a little surprising that it beat the French Renault Master Z.E. Moreover, a few months ago, the company ordered Voltia delivery vans (Nissan e-NV200 with an enlarged body). . . .

Volkswagen e-Crafter specs:

• range of up to 160 km (100 miles); 115 km (71.47 miles) WLTP
  35.8 kWh battery (shared with e-Golf)
  top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph)
  100 kW electric motor
  payload is 1-1.75 tons depending on the version, while the overall capacity is 10.7 m3

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Irizar e-mobility to supply 14 electric buses to the city of Genoa

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AMT Genoa (Italy) has acquired 14 10.8m Irizar ie electric buses and associated charging facilities. The Irizar buses will operate around the streets of Genoa from August 2020.

With on-board energy of 350 kWh, these vehicles have a range of 220 km and have 3 doors, 20 seats, 1 driver’s seat, 1 wheelchair/pushchair area and a capacity for 81 passengers. . . .

The vehicles are charged overnight with 9 interoperable chargers with Combo 2 connectors, also developed and manufactured by the Irizar Group.

The bus is powered by a 180 kW motor, with 1,500 N·m of torque. . . .


Irizar Group has invested in the largest photovoltaic solar farm in the Basque Country and the energy generated in this farm supplies the Irizar e-mobility facility, making this the first completely clean energy factory that manufactures electric buses.

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Volvo Trucks North America demonstrates pilot electric VNR models; Volvo LIGHTS

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. . . The Volvo LIGHTS project is a collaboration between 15 public and private partners to demonstrate the viability of all-electric freight hauling in high-density traffic and urban areas and represents the project’s innovative and holistic approach to ensuring commercial readiness in all aspects. The Volvo LIGHTS project’s transformative impact on fleet operations is designed to be scalable and replicable to reduce emissions throughout the freight eco-system.

The Volvo LIGHTS project was made possible by an award to South Coast AQMD of $44.8 million from CARB as part of California Climate Investments (CCI). CCI is a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Volvo Group contributed $36.7 million for the project total of $90 million, and South Coast AQMD contributed $4 million from the Clean Fuels Fund, administers the grant and oversees the Volvo LIGHTS project. . . .

The Volvo VNR Electric project trucks will be put into real-world commercial operations with two of California’s leading freight companies, Dependable Supply Chain Services and NFI. Volvo Trucks engineers and project managers will closely monitor and evaluate the vehicles’ performance, driving cycles, load capacity, uptime, range and other parameters in these real-world applications over the next several months.

The company will take those learnings into the final stages of product development and begin the first phase of serial production and commercial offering of the Volvo VNR Electric in late 2020.

In North America, the Volvo VNR Electric is targeting short- and regional-haul applications such as heavy urban distribution, drayage and other applications where electric trucks will first have the greatest impact. . . .

Volvo LIGHTS project partner TEC Equipment will serve as a fully certified maintenance hub for the Volvo VNR Electric project trucks in the South Coast Air Basin. The dealership group is an established sales and service network that has partnered with local Rio Hondo College and San Bernardino Valley College to create electric vehicle repair and service technician programs to ensure fully trained and skilled technicians to support these new technologies. The company will also lease 15 battery-electric Volvo VNR Electric trucks to interested customers for real-world trials as part of the overall project scope, and offers a critical uptime support team for assistance with parts and service on these new electric vehicles.

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Hyundai partners with Yeosu Gwangyang Port Corporation to commercialize hydrogen fuel-cell trucks

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. . . An MOU between the two includes the development and demonstration of hydrogen fuel-cell trucks for logistics transportation and the establishment of a hydrogen fueling station.

The port region is home to petrochemical complexes that produce hydrogen as a byproduct.

The hydrogen fuel-cell trucks will be put into operation for the 320-kilometer (199-mile) round-trip route connecting Gwangyang Port and Busan.

Hyundai plans to introduce two hydrogen trucks for logistics transportation by 2023, and then add 10 more.

Yeosu Gwangyang Port Corporation will provide a site (about 2,000 m2) for the construction of the hydrogen refueling station by 2022.

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ASKO deploys two Scania battery-electric distribution trucks in Norway

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Norwegian wholesaler ASKO is deploying two battery electric Scania distribution trucks in its operations in Oslo, Norway. This pilot marks another milestone in the cooperation regarding electrified solutions for heavy transport between Scania and ASKO. Asko is also piloting the use of hydrogen fuel-cell trucks with Scania. (Earlier post.)

The two trucks that will go into ASKO’s operations have a battery capacity of 165 kWh, giving them a range of 120 km (75 miles), and are charged by 130 kW cable charging. . . .

This project received financial backing from Enova, which is a state enterprise owned by the Ministry of Climate and Environment in Norway. . . .

With GVW of 27 tonnes, the Scania electric trucks feature a 290 kW electric machine/245 kW continuous output and 2,200 Nm peak torque, with a 2-speed transmission.

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Workhorse Group to unveil new C650 electric step van at NTEA Work Truck Show

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Workhorse Group will display its newly-designed C650 all-electric step van at the NTEA Work Truck Show, 4-6 March in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company‘s new C650 and C1000 step vans will are 650 ft3 and 1000 ft3 vehicles both weighing approximately 12,500 lbs (5,670 kg) when fully loaded.

Through a lightweight, composite, monocoque construction method, Workhorse has significantly decreased their vehicles’ curb weights when compared to legacy company models, while still providing the same cargo volume capacity.

Workhorse C Series vehicles are powered by a modular battery pack system, which provides between 35 kilowatt hours (kWh) when equipped with two battery packs and 70 kWh in its standard four pack configuration, empowering customers to choose the right energy requirement for specific duty cycles.

Depending on the size of battery pack installation, range is expected to be between 100 and 150 miles (161 to 241 km) on a single charge, while achieving approximately 53 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPGe). . . .

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Plug Power partners with Lightning Systems on hydrogen fuel-cell-powered Class 6 trucks for logistics industry; “middle-mile” solution

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. . . This collaboration enables both companies to offer the first electric, fuel-cell-powered Class 6 trucks (up to 12.5 tons) capable of supporting middle-mile delivery logistics between warehouses and distribution centers.

The electric commercial trucks produced by the partnership will be powered by an integrated hybrid-electric drivetrain consisting of Plug Power’s ProGen fuel cell engines coupled with Lightning Systems’ electric vehicle drivetrain and batteries. . . .

Final production and testing of the new vehicles will be completed at Plug Power’s headquarters in Latham, New York, before they are made commercially available to the public in the third quarter of 2020.

Plug Power and Lightning Systems will deliver both standard and long-range Class 6 trucks through their partnership, taking full advantage of the value that fuel cells offer in commercial fleets where high utilization, long range, fast fueling, and maximization of cargo volume and payload are important.

Plug Power’s ProGen engines provide 90 kW of fuel cell power and utilize the latest generation of the company’s proprietary MEA and metal plate stack technology, which delivers industry-leading power density. The standard vehicle offering includes 20kg of on-board hydrogen storage, delivering average range (for typical route profiles) in excess of 200 miles. An extended range option is also available, effectively doubling the standard average range to 400 miles. . . .

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NACFE to focus on electric trucks in regional haul

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The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE)—a non-profit organization dedicated to doubling the freight efficiency of North American goods movement—has determined that regional trucking operations are well suited to be early adopters of electric trucks. It is also a rather large segment of the market with sufficient scale to have a big impact on the industry.

As a result, NACFE will focus much of its attention on electric trucks in regional haul. Early workstreams include:

• Identifying high-potential regional trucking routes in concert with changes to freight movement;
  
  Supporting the implementation of initial and future deployments outside of California;
  
  Scaling best practices in infrastructure development for fleets and communities; and
  
  Increasing confidence in the value of electrification.

• Our research has shown us that regional haul is an important segment of the trucking industry and also one that makes sense for electrification, given its short-haul nature and return-to-base operation.
  
  We are embarking on a three-year project to gain a better understanding of how commercial battery electric vehicles will best fit into the regional haul market.
  
  —Mike Roeth, Executive Director, NACFE. . . .

NACFE is being aided in its efforts by funding from Hewlett Foundation, a non-profit, private charitable foundation that advances ideas and supports institutions to promote a better world; and ClimateWorks Foundation, a non-governmental organization that is committed to climate action.

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Terberg introduces new generation of electric terminal tractor; hydrogen fuel-cell version possible

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The performance of the new electric drive system is comparable with that of diesel engines and the large battery option offers a significantly greater operating range. Additionally, the new battery technology has an extended temperature range and can be used worldwide in both very cold and warm climates.

The first BC202-EV body carrier will be delivered in April 2020 and the new generation YT203-EV terminal tractor will become available at the end of 2020.

With the new technology Terberg delivers significant improvements. Customers can choose from a number of battery capacity combinations so they can select the option best suited to their operations. Applications with high vehicle usage will benefit from the battery with the increased capacity, resulting in a longer range. Customers with operations involving lower vehicle usage and with more opportunities to charge the vehicle during the day can opt for a smaller battery pack, at a lower price.

The new electric drive system has fewer moving parts than a diesel engine and the previous EV generation, resulting in lower maintenance costs. The new EV drive supports regenerative braking, reducing energy consumption. Finally, the vehicles can operate indoors, with zero emissions and a lower noise level, which is particularly relevant for terminal tractors. . . .

The vehicles use DC chargers and can therefore be charged at standard charging stations. The new batteries comply with the ECE-R100 rev. 2 regulation and withstand both very high and very low temperatures. This means the new Terberg YT203-EV can be deployed anywhere in the world.

Additionally, the new charger connector complies with the CCS2.0 automotive standard. This charger technology is also available in the United States. . . .

Terberg developed the new generation electric drive as a multifunctional, modular concept. This makes it easier to adapt the EV-technology to a range of vehicles, such as the new YT203-EV terminal tractor and the BC202-EV body carrier. The design also allows for the use of hydrogen fuel cells in future.

In January 2019, Terberg Special Vehicles and Zepp.solutions unveiled a proof-of-concept hydrogen fuel cell yard tractor. . . .

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Fastenal running electric Freightliner eM2 in LA metro area

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. . . The venture stems from a collaboration between Penske Truck Leasing and Daimler Trucks North America to test commercial electric trucks in real-world situations and drive future improvements to the technology.

The eM2 began service in the Fastenal fleet in early January, making deliveries of wide-ranging products to 28 Fastenal branches and customer-specific Onsite locations from Los Angeles to coastal Orange County to the Inland Empire.

The eM2 is suited for local transportation of goods as well as for last-mile deliveries—a good fit for Fastenal’s customer-centric distribution model, providing a consistent flow of product from regional hubs, to local markets, and ultimately to customers’ points of use. . . .

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Champaign-Urbana orders two New Flyer 60' hydrogen fuel-cell buses

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The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) has awarded New Flyer a contract for two hydrogen fuel-cell-electric sixty-foot Xcelsior CHARGE H2 heavy-duty transit buses (for a total of four equivalent units).

MTD is the first in the US to order 60' hydrogen fuel cell buses commercially. The Xcelsior CHARGE H2 is the first sixty-foot fuel cell-electric bus to complete Altoona testing.

The purchase, supported by the Center for Transportation and the Environment. . . .

In July 2019, MTD was awarded a $1.45-million competitive Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant for the purchase of hydrogen fuel cell electric buses and associated infrastructure.

The Xcelsior CHARGE H2 uses compressed hydrogen as an energy source, as well as an 85 kW Ballard HD85 fuel cell system. The bus has a Siemens 160 kW, 2,400 N·m rear axle drive motor and a ZF electric portal middle axle (ZF/AVE130) with two 125 kW, 11,000 N·m motors.

The fuel cell bus uses a battery-dominant hybrid architecture, in which the batteries are large enough to handle all vehicle performance needs while the fuel cell acts like a continuous battery charger to extend the range of the vehicle.

MTD is the public transportation provider in the Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy regions of Illinois, also serving the University of Illinois. It delivers nearly 12 million rides per year through a full range of mobility services including bus service, ADA paratransit service, rural service, half fare cab, MCORE, the Illinois Terminal, and efforts to encourage walking, biking, and ride sharing.

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