Truck Components
One of the key reasons for switching to electric trucks is sustainability, but there are still questions about the components and batteries that power them. As an industry leader, Cummins has a plan to develop an electric truck powertrain control system that works with virtually any new truck maker’s chassis, and it is also adaptable to older truck retrofits. The company works closely with existing truck makers to develop these components. Read on to learn more about the progress that’s being made and the potential for the electric truck industry.
The company recently announced a new automated machining line. The XM line will expand Modig’s Horizontal High Velocity machining centers to meet the growing component size of the Electric Vehicle Truck industry. Also, the Swedish manufacturer announced a partnership agreement with ASAS, a Turkish company that produces state-of-the-art aluminium extrusions. The partnership will enable ASAS to use the next generation of extrusion machines, which will be capable of handling heavier aluminium extrusions.
In addition to battery design, electric trucks will need to consider range anxiety, as battery life will vary depending on operational conditions. Manufacturers should strive to make their vehicles as lightweight as possible to improve range. Forging high-strength aluminum components will help increase the lifetime of electric vehicles and improve range. As batteries are becoming more affordable and sustainable, the second market for electric truck components is developing. Anchor Harvey’s EV Workgroup provides high-strength aluminum components for a greater range.
Electric Truck Components
In addition to battery and chargers, electric vehicles have to have high-performance vector control operations to provide an efficient charge. A lithium-ion battery from Hitachi Automotive Systems has outstanding durability, safety, and environmental impact. Its development is a joint project with Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. Hyliion Holdings plans to develop a battery module based on Toshiba lithium-titanate cells. The next generation battery module will power the company’s ERX system.
While the fuel cell engine takes longer to commercialize, Nuvera expects the company’s core technologies to remain competitive and create additional customer partnerships. A recent collaboration with Hyster-Yale Group and the California Air Resources Board will help the company demonstrate the operation of a Hyster 1150-CH Top-Loader Big Truck with a 45kW fuel cell engine. These components are essential for an electric truck.
The electric powertrain system generates torque within the vehicle’s system through spinning rotors and similar components. The performance of this system requires an analysis of its power performance and noise-vibrations (NV). High levels of noise can significantly affect sales. For this reason, Hitachi Automotive Systems has developed an energy/NV-coupled system simulator, allowing engineers to evaluate the efficiency of various components before prototyping the final product.