Heavy Duty Electric Truck

In 2007, the Port of Los Angeles and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) partnered to fund the prototype of the world's most powerful short-range heavy-duty electric truck. The agencies split the $527,000 investment to develop and test a heavy-duty truck capable of hauling a fully loaded 40-foot cargo container.
The heavy-duty electric short-haul drayage truck -- the first of its kind at any port worldwide -- can pull a 60,000-pound cargo container, has a top speed of 40 mph, and has a range between 30 to 60 miles per battery charge. The battery power plants on up to four electric trucks can be simultaneously charged within four hours.
In April 2008, the Los Angeles Harbor Commission approved the production of 20 electric yard trucks, or "hostlers," following the successful completion of the cargo terminal tests. The 20 hostlers will be deployed in the Port as part of a "green terminal" program. The program will also include the production of five on-road electric models. Balqon will work with the Port and Department of Transportation to obtain the appropriate certification for on-road use.
In total, the Port is investing more than $5.6 million to test the viability of electric drayage trucks. Future widespread application of a fleet of electric trucks would be especially useful at the Port of Los Angeles because each year more than 4 million 20-foot-equivalent cargo container units (TEUs) are trucked to and from rail facilities and warehouses within 25 miles from the Port.
The Port of Los Angeles is America's premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. The Port of Los Angeles - A cleaner port. A brighter future.

• Category

  News & Politics

[ratryu]

WTH. I've never heard of an electric truck this big. Why wasn't this in the news? Freaking crappy news.  So who is going to mass produce these things? This could be a new motor company or they could contract Tesla Motors to do it.

[heartlessvietboy]

The Electric Truck is Excellent. Especially for local use.

[Stephen Babcock]

This is pretty cool. One thing that could be added is 4 generators that are the size 1 1/2 NFL footballs. This way if the batteries (lithium batteries) are at half capacity then 2 generators can recharge the batts and the other 2 generators can supply the power needed, or the batteries can be used to power excessories in the truck and also help the truck get going before the gens take over.

[chechnya]

I'm not anti-battery electric vehicles, but I think hydrogen would serve a better purpose here. The range is the killer. Plus, adding heavy batteries onto a vehicle that gets that little range is counter-productive.

[jonnyt2008]

Brilliant idea. If they could build a long haul electric semi it would be magnificent. Imagine a gearless semi! High torque output and no fuel expenses. Thats the future.

[Phillip Carlson]

Perfect!! A truck burning diesel just to carry containers short distances is REDICULOUS. Electric makes perfect sense. High torque stuff all pollution.

[TheBishopSSR]

Brandon- which rock you've been living under? Since 2011, less than 40% of ALL electricity produced in USA is made from coal! But even if 100% of all energy was coal-based- the EPA estimate that it would still amount to only 1/4 of gasoline emissions, since large power plants are way more efficient than individual car motors.

[messyside1]

the makers of this truck is capacity, there's a similar company called ottawa

[brandon8968ford]

like this truck will matter! 90% of the power going into this truck is still made by burning coal!