EV Brief 9/18/21 EV Brief 9/18/21

Renault expands range of electric trucks, with new 18 tonne D Wide Z.E

Renault announces additions to D Z.E. electric truck model range, featuring two electric engines with a total power of 370 kW and battery sizes of 200 kWh and 265 kWh.

Renault Trucks has just announced an 18 tonne D Wide Z.E. model to join the 16 and 26 tonne Renault Trucks D Z.E. and D Wide Z.E. models.

The manufacturer is also offering a wider range of wheelbases and special connectivity for refrigerated bodies:

Renault Trucks D Wide Z.E.

GVWR of 18 tonnes or 26 tonnes., each +1 tonne dispensation
Available wheelbases: 3,900mm, 4,100mm, 4,300mm, 4,500mm, 4,750mm, 5,250mm, 5,000mm, 5,250mm, 5,500mm, 5,800mm, 6,100mm and 6,800mm
Two electric engines with a total power of 370 kW (continuous power of 260 kW)
Maximum torque of electric engines: 850 Nm
Maximum axle torque: 28 kNm.
Two-speed gearbox
Energy storage: lithium-ion batteries, 200 kWh and 265 kWh.
Operating range: from 100km for waste collection, up to 180 km for distribution.

Renault Trucks D Z.E.

GVWR of 16 tonnes
Available wheelbases: 4400mm and 5300mm
Electric engine with 185 kW power (continuous power of 130 kW)
Maximum torque of the electric engine: 425 Nm.
Maximum axle torque: 16 kNm
Two-speed gearbox
Energy storage: 200 and 265 kWh lithium-ion batteries
Operating range: up to 400 km

The 18 tonne D Wide Z.E. will be manufactured at Renault Trucks’ Blainville-sur-Orne plant (Calvados), where the D Z.E. and the D Wide Z.E. have been produced since 2020.

Equipped with a two-axle chassis for improved manoeuvrability, the 18 tonne D Wide Z.E. is the ideal vehicle for temperature-controlled distribution, with an optimised payload.

In addition, Renault Trucks has designed a new system to increase the energy efficiency of all-electric trucks equipped with a refrigerated body.

All Renault Trucks D Z.E. and D Wide Z.E trucks are now available with a fridge-connection option, which supplies the energy required for the refrigeration system directly from the vehicle's 600 V traction batteries.

The range of wheelbases available for its D and D Wide Z.E. from 3900 mm to 6800 mm, aide manoeuvrability and optimise load distribution according to Renault. The manufacturer expects strong interest from light construction, building supplies and skip operators keen to offer the best possible service to their urban customers.

Electric trucks have many benefits over internal combustion equivalents; cheaper operating costs and improved reliability for fleet operators, and zero-emissions for drivers, employees and pedestrians around the vehicle. Electric trucks are also able to operate in European city centres at night, in keeping with strict noise regulations.

While Australia has a long way to go in decarbonising its transport fleet, companies like SEA Electric are making waves with their technology, and just this week, the Electric Vehicle Council announced a paratnership alongside the Australian Trucking Association to commence an industry-wide approach to increase electric heavy vehicle uptake.

Source: Renault Trucks

EV Brief 8/25/21 EV Brief 8/25/21

Volta Trucks testing prototype electric truck, announces Trucks as a Service business

Volta’s rolling testbed will evaluate thermal and mechanical performance, reliability and efficiency, ahead of the Volta Pilot Program rollout to select customers sometime in 2022.

It may not be much to look at, but this is a real-world testing prototype of Volta’s Zero commercial vehicle. Named Volta Minus One by the company’s development engineers, this test truck is the forerunner to the production specification Volta Zero 16-tonne truck.

The vehicle’s chassis frame, Proterra-supplied high-voltage battery, axles, motor and transmission are all close to final specification, and this unconventional-looking vehicle will allow Volta to test electro-mechanical components as well as thermal properties of the truck. The flatbed design allows the development team to easily add varying amounts of weight to evaluate carrying capacity.

Volta will be testing the Zero in conjunction with Horiba Mira, a specialised vehicle development and engineering company in the UK. Volta plans to continue testing the Zero across a range of locations and climates from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean, to ensure reliability, durability, and performance meet customer expectations prior to the pilot fleet rollout sometime in 2022.

Volta also published a video highlighting their proposed Truck as a Service (TaaS) business; the decarbonisation of transport fleets will likely require a higher level of initial investment from companies than comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks, and Volta aims to capture the emerging electric commercial vehicle market by packaging all upfront vehicle and ongoing running costs into a single fee. The company projects lower total cost of ownership over ICE trucks for fleet managers, and aims to maximise uptime and operational efficiency of fleet vehicles by providing everything from training and EV charging infrastructure, to vehicle repayments, and maintenance.

EV Brief 7/30/21 EV Brief 7/30/21

New South Wales government to add 35 electric buses to its North Shore fleet

The New South Wales Government has appointed Busways North West as the operator of bus services in Sydney’s North West and select areas of the Lower North Shore, and the company has committed to introducing 35 electric buses to replace diesel buses that have reached the end of their life.

A BYD-Gemilang-Nexport electric bus, currently servicing the Inner West of Sydney.

“Busways is an Australian-owned family company which currently runs bus routes, with integrated On Demand services, in Sydney’s West and the Hills District, and will now operate in the North West and Lower North Shore,” Mr Constance said.

“Busways will introduce 35 electric buses to replace diesel buses that need to be retired, meaning cleaner, quieter and smoother rides for customers. Charging infrastructure will be installed at the Willoughby depot to support the new fleet.”

Nexport is likely a contender to receive the purchase order. As a growing Australian business, with the company recently announcing a $110 million funding injection from Hong Kong-based financier Tor Investment Management, Nexport plans to partner with Australian technology giant Tritium —which is soon set to list on the NASDAQ exchange— to build EVs in Brisbane and the Australian Capital Territory. Nexport is already building buses using BYD drivetrains and Gemlang/Volgren bodies in New South Wales and Victoria.

We’ve reached out to Transport for New South Wales to get more information on the buses.

A concept of BYD-Nexport’s next electric bus. Image: Nexport

EV Brief 6/20/21 EV Brief 6/20/21

New South Wales announces $490 million EV incentive and support package in 2021 budget

The slow cascade of reform and incentives to adapt to a future of e-mobility has hit New South Wales, as the government announces a $490 million package to boost battery electric vehicle (BEV) uptake in the state.

The slow cascade of reform and incentives to adapt to a future of e-mobility has hit New South Wales, as the government announces a $490 million package to boost battery electric vehicle (BEV) uptake in the state.

Electric vehicle reform is often a battle of ideologies and ministerial power; state treasurers see potential sources of revenue whilst environment and transport ministers see community, environmental, and social benefits.

With Victoria’s rush to implement a user charge on electric vehicle owners receiving wide condemnation, NSW has taken a considered approach to state reform in this area. While not as generous as incentives implemented by the government of the Australian Capital Territory, NSW is heading in the right direction, and this announcement has received wide acclaim from industry groups like Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), manufacturers such as Nissan Australia and Hyundai Motor Company Australia, and community groups like Solar Citizens.

The $490 million package aims to cut the upfront costs of electric vehicles for early adopters from September 1 this year, with a $3,000 rebate available for just the first 25,000 purchases below $68,750. The following vehicles currently on the market in Australia would be eligible for this rebate:

L to R: NSW treasurer Dominic Perrottet, EV Council CEO Behyad Jafari, NRMA CEO Rohan Lund, NSW Environment minister Matt Kean and NSW transport minister Andrew Constance. Image: Andrew Constance via Twitter

BMW i3
Hyundai Ioniq range
Hyundai Kona Electric range
Kia Niro range
Maxda MX-30 E35 Astina
Mini Electric
MG ZS EV
Nissan Leaf Range
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus

Stamp duty on BEVs and hydrogen vehicles will be waived from September 1 this year, provided the vehicle retails for less than $78,000. Duty in the state is calculated at a rate of 3 per cent on the vehicle’s value (excluding registration and compulsory third party insurance, but including Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Luxury Car Tax (LCT)) and an additional 5 per cent on every dollar about $45,000.

These incentives will be offset by a 2.5c/kilometre charge set to be introduced in 2027, or when EV sales in the state make up 30% of total sales, whichever comes first.

As an example, if you were looking to buy a Kia Niro EV that had a retail price of $66,000 inclusive of options and federal taxes, the state stamp duty cost would be $2,400. Instead, the government is reducing the price to $63,000 for those first 25,000 takers.

If you purchase a $66,000 BEV once the c/km charge comes in in 2027 —assuming stamp duty rates remain the same— you would be saving $2,400 in duty payable to the state.

Unfortunately, this unfairly targets consumers in regional areas or those who are pushed to the urban fringe of Sydney, who are forced to drive long distances due to limited transport options. A 2.5c/km charge wouldn’t concern an inner-city driver who might cover ten-to-twenty kilometres a day and certainly wouldn’t push that driver into public transport options.

It would disadvantage many of the state’s residents who have no option but to drive hundreds of kilometres a week; a commuter who travels 30,000 kilometres a year would eradicate any stamp duty saving on that $66,000 vehicle above in just three and a quarter years, paying $750 in EV tax annually.

The NSW government also announced that its own vehicle fleet would be fully electrified by 2030, and is putting $33 million toward that goal.

NSW transport minister Andrew Constance is hopeful that an increase in electrification of vehicles in NSW will reduce the state’s emissions, saying “Our transport sector currently makes up 20 per cent of the state’s emissions, with almost 50 per cent of those coming from passenger vehicles,” Constance said. “Electric vehicles are not only cheaper to run and quieter on our roads, but they also reduce both carbon emissions and air pollution which results in dramatically improved health outcomes for our communities.”

There’s also $171 million to establish a network of ultra-rapid vehicle chargers across the state’s major highways, that aims to replicate Queensland’s Electric Super Highway, $20 million in grants to assist key tourist sites rolling out destination charging facilities, and $20 million for charging infrastructure at public transport hubs and depots.

The government has an ambitious target to ensure Sydney residents are no more than 5km from a rapid charging site, and that regional residents are within 100km of rapid charging facilities. Buried deep in the press release were these maps, and it looks like the government intends to provide pretty broad coverage across all areas of NSW.

The NSW government has announced that most of the state will be covered by DC rapid charging sites, with communities to be no more than 100km from a charger.

Sydney residents are promised a rapid charging network that will likely roll out at key sites around the city’s orbital motorway system, with charge points to be located within 5 minutes drive of all residents.

NSW is set to roll out a network of rapid EV charging sites across the state’s highways and freeways.

According to The Driven, NSW energy minister Matt Kean said the new policies should put the state on track to see an electrification rate of 50 per cent of new car sales.

“Countries and carmakers around the world are moving to EVs and NSW consumers deserve access to the latest vehicle models when they go to buy a car,” Kean said. “We also know that, with new cars staying on the road 15 years on average, the vast majority of new cars sold in NSW need to be EVs by 2035 to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.”

“Our aim is to increase EV sales to more than 50 per cent of new cars sold in NSW by 2030 and for EVs to be the vast majority of new cars sold in the State by 2035.”

“This nation-leading plan will help us achieve these objectives by tackling the three biggest barriers to purchasing an EV – range anxiety, upfront cost, and model availability – and is forecast to see EV new car sales hit 52 per cent by 2030-31. We want new and cheaper models of EVs to be available here in NSW and this strategy is designed to drive that outcome,” Kean added.

The above initiatives are certainly welcome, and with around 400,000 new car sales a year, NSW holds the crown for the largest passenger car market. Any uptake in electrification will certainly assist in emissions reduction.

Kia’s Niro EV will benefit from zero stamp duty under the NSW government’s new EV scheme.

There are a number of policy changes that we would have liked to see alongside the EV incentives:

Interest-free loans for EVs and household batteries and solar (as per the ACT)
A charge on internal combustion engine vehicles, either at the point of sale or on a cents-per-kilometre basis factoring in weight and emissions
Low Emissions Zones (LEZs) established in congested areas such as Sydney’s central business district (CBD), the Parramatta CBD, and in the soon-to-be-built third Sydney basin city of Bradfield;
Concessions for those outside dense metro areas

We believe that along with the carrot approach, a little bit of stick is needed to accelerate the change to EVs. As New Zealand recently demonstrated, EV subsidies should work hand in hand with appropriate levies on polluting internal combustion vehicles. a Ford Ranger or Toyota Hilux will incur an additional $NZ2,900 fee under the country’s new scheme.

NSW’s scheme also penalises those who have no choice but to drive more; a 2.5c/km charge won’t impact an inner-city Sydney resident who might drive 5-6km per day (and certainly won’t be a push factor into public transport), whereas it would have a large impact on regional residents or those on to the city’s fringe who are forced to commute 50, 80 or 100+ kilometres per day by car, and don’t have alternative transport options.

The scheme should take this into account, and we believe emissions zones would be another great addition. By designating certain dense city areas a LEZ, The state can generate additional revenue, dissuade polluting trucks and ICE cars from entering central city areas at peak times, and improve public health outcomes for commuters and residents.

The state’s Premier, Gladys Berejiklian has stated that the new city of Bradfield — currently in the early stages of master planning — will be Australia’s first 22nd Century City; if this is truly the case, the government should recognise any city from the future must be emissions-free. When a government has the rare opportunity to plan a dense metropolitan area from scratch, it must think big, and it must think zero-emissions.

All in all, this is a welcome announcement from the NSW government, and with rebates and stamp duty waivers set to commence from September 2021, we may see a sharp increase in EV sales in the latter part of this year.

EV Brief 3/27/21 EV Brief 3/27/21

SEA Electric to purchase 1,000 battery sets from Soundon New Energy Technology Co for electric trucks

Global automotive technology company SEA Electric has expanded its global reach through the purchase of 1,000 electric vehicle batteries from long-time technology partner Soundon New Energy Technology Co. The newly formed arrangement immediately follows SEA Electric’s recently announced US$42 million in equity financing news.

Soundon has been providing SEA Electric with batteries since 2012, and the two companies have worked together closely on the development of seven SEA-Drive battery solutions over the course of the nine year relationship. SEA Electric is leveraging the cost benefits of Soundon’s battery and power electronics technical expertise, and their production efficiencies. The deal also allows SEA Electric to realise a significant 36 percent reduction in kilowatt hour (kWh) unit cost, and fulfilment of the battery production is expected to be completed in Q2 2021.

Soundon New Energy Technology’s manufacturing centre in China. Image: SEA Ealectric

According to Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric president and founder, Soundon is not only a world-class leader in innovation and battery technology, but highly regarded for its product quality, on time delivery, and competitive pricing. “Our long-term relationship with Soundon has been a very successful commercial journey and we anticipate continuing to share our global successes along the way.” While the majority of the initial 1,000 battery units are slated for the United States, the balance will go to SEA Electric inventories in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, along with the company’s first entry into the European market.

SEA Electric’s SEA-Drive technology fits hundreds of OEM platforms according to the company, with this large order from Soundon shared cross three major power-system models:

An Isuzu truck with SEA-Drive technology. Image: SEA Electric

SEA-Drive 70 – contains 88 kilowatt hours (kWh)
SEA-Drive 100 – contains 101 kilowatt hours (kWh)
SEA-Drive 120 – contains 138 kilowatt hours (kWh)

Wu Peng, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Soundon commented that “this is a significant milestone in our partnership with SEA Electric. Receiving this 1,000-unit order not only facilitates SEA Electric’s substantial global growth, it also positions Soundon as a leader in the export market for commercial electric vehicles. It’s a winning proposition for all.”

With global headquarters and key leadership in Los Angeles, SEA Electric currently has operations in five countries and more than one million miles of independent Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) testing and in-service operation in all markets.

SEA Electric is an Australian success story, and currently partners with commercial vehicle OEMs, dealers, operators and upfitters to deliver zero-emissions trucks around the world. The company is expected to deliver more than 1,000 electric commercial vehicles this year. The company forecast is to have more than 15,000 vehicles on the road by the end of 2023.