HEAVY EV AS A CLASS

Heavy goods vehicles are defined by NZTA as 12 tonnes and above.

The Alsco Heavy EV will be up to 22.5 tonnes fully laden.

 

RANGE OF HEAVY EV to full battery depletion: 200kms

 

THE FIRST ROUTE SELECTED by Alsco is their shortest heavy distribution route, encompassing some 284 kilometres in total. Operational adjustments will maximise the  Heavy EV range. Alsco’s long-term objective is to replace all 15 of their diesel freighters, combining battery life technology with further operations and handling innovations.

 

CHARGING ADAPTATIONS include installation of charging stations at all three depots on the route, so the Heavy EV can recharge during all operational load and unload times. This will enable the driver to complete the Rotorua/Taupo return, and subsequently Rotorua/Tauranga return, within a normal 8 hour shift.

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LOW-ENERGY USE/NO EMISSIONS OUTPUT
The freighter is based on a Hino GH 1828 with SEA-Drive® 180 power-system, offering 259kW continuous power, 372kW maximum power; 1852 Nm continuous torque, and a maximum torque of 3500 Nm. With zero emissions, fewer moving parts and lower operating costs, the 100% electric freighter offers an ideal commercial vehicle solution for Alsco’s operations. Alsco has a fleet of 350 vehicles, but the 15 Diesel road freighters consume 1/3 of Alsco’s fleet fuel.

 

The first Alsco Heavy EV Freighter replaces a diesel predecessor, saving an estimated 67 tonnes of carbon emissions yearly. The estimate is based on an average 5.6 tonne load each way daily over the identical 284km route. Estimated energy savings based on theoretical like-for-like analysis are likely to be ‘highly conservative’ at this early stage. Detailed empirical data will be collated over time and made available to interested parties.

 

COACH & CABIN BUILD ADAPTATIONS

The light weight composite design by Action Manufacturing, who brought the European technology to NZ about 6 years ago, has produced regular fuel savings of 5-7% in similar vehicles. The truck body is designed with a curved aerodynamically shaped roof, reducing down force, which in turn reduces drag. Side skirts also smooth airflow to reduce drag.  Alsco, Action Manufacturing, and SEA Electric have worked jointly to reduce overall drag co-efficients and extend the range of the EV.

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