Heavy Duty Trucking, March 2020

Hotlineglobal TRUCKINGS WORLDWIDE BUSINESS REPORT Daimler trucks launches global electric truck charging initiative T he E Mobility Group of Germany based Daimler Trucks has launched a global initiative to set up charging infrastructure for battery electric commercial trucks The initial push will be to establish charging stations at truck terminals and shops or what Daimler calls depot charging The truck maker said the idea is to build a network for shared infrastructure solutions Other players that will take part in the eTruck Charging Initiative include electric truck fleets power grid operators energy suppliers charging hardware manufacturers and charging software providers The focus is currently on infrastructure for the United States and Europe with Japan to be the next market to follow The initiative is meant to foster close dialogue between the main participants to help speed up previously lengthy and complex planning and application processes for network connections In addition the players are concerned with such aspects as optimized load management of the electricity grid and ensuring a sustainable electricity supply Gesa Reimelt head of Daimler Trucks E Mobility Group said the efforts goals include supporting truck customers in the selection of the energy supplier and of the chargingstation provider as well as providing the appropriate charging software According to Daimler Trucks the earlier and more exactly the energy suppliers and power grid operators know what customers infrastructure requirements are the faster and more efficiently they can build them up Therefore the initiatives measures include the development of standard concepts that cover common charging profiles Different energy suppliers can use these concepts significantly reducing their planning time In addition Daimler said standardized and optimized forms would accelerate the approval process for network operators and fast processes mean reduced costs for all involved Other approaches including the best possible design of the interfaces between charging infrastructure vehicle and grid as well as the possibilities of controlling the grid load and thus ensuring the sustainable supply of electricity will also be addressed As for depot charging at fleets own facilities Daimler Trucks said the infrastructure will be tailored to the needs and processes of each truck operator The company said there are several benefits The use of ones own charging infrastructure usually offers advantages in terms of total cost of ownership as theres no additional operator involved There is no need for time consuming billing and authentication of authorized vehicles and the ability to charge can always be guaranteed Charging procedures are subject to the companys specifications and the energy costs can be calculated in advance Daimler Trucks sees depot charging as especially suitable for electric trucks running in urban areas Since they cover routes that can be planned such trucks can be charged overnight or during regular downtime The truck maker added that the development of further charging possibilities through opportunity charging topping off battery capacity and public charging will successively open up further applications with a larger radius of action for truck fleet operations David Cullen Meritor has been chosen to join the e Consortium of Brazil based Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus to collaborate on the development of electric commercial vehicles in Brazil beginning with the launch of VWCOs e Delivery truck to be equipped with Meritors 12Xe drive axle with eOptimized gearing this year VWCO plans to deliver 1600 e Delivery trucks with the Meritor axle to a Brazilian beverage company Cervejaria Ambev representing one third of its fleet by 2023 VWCO said the electrification project is one of the largest of its kind in the world Swedens Volvo Group has created a new dedicated business unit for providing autonomous transportation solutions dubbed Volvo Autonomous Solutions The global truck maker also announced that its Volvo Group Venture Capital unit has invested in Palo Alto Californiabased Apex AI USA which it said is a leading software company engaged in autonomous mobility Volvo said the investment is to fund the development of a safety certified software framework for autonomous systems The Mercedes Benz Vans plant in Dusseldorf Germany has started full production of the all electric Sprinter eSprinter The OEM said the plant which has produced 46 million vans of all types since 1962 has been continuously updated and is currently the leading Sprinter plant worldwide Mercedes Benz Vans said it has invested some 330 million Euros 356 million in expanding its manufacturing operations to enable building both the eSprinter and the conventional internal combustion engine version on the same production line Geotab has acquired Spanish engineering firm Intendia which specializes in integrated technology solutions to help heavy duty fleets in Europe to adhere to compliance laws Geotab said Intendias solution helps fleets comply with European commercial vehicle laws around truck driver hours rest times and speed limits to facilitate safer driving behavior and improved operations Hotline Global is published in partnership with UK based Truck Bus Builder For a free trial subscription to T BB go to www truckandbusbuilder com trial request asp Gesa Reimelt head of Daimler Trucks E Mobility Group demonstrating a depot charging station set up at Daimler Trucks headquarters in Stuttgart Germany PHOTO DAIMLER TRUCKS HDT MARCH 2020 22 WWW TRUCKINGINFO COM