From Guest Blogger Dixie Somers: Electric Trucks – New Experimentation

Electric vehicles have already made a huge splash when it comes to small vehicles and autos designed for inner-city driving. With this success under the belt, developers of electronic motor vehicles are setting their sights much higher. The technologies emerging for electric and hybrid trucks designed for hauling and pairing with tractor trailers represents the next frontier for the green movement. Improving the efficiency of fleets and carriers that are constantly crossing the United States can equal some huge savings when it comes to fuel economy. These savings are expected to create a ripple effect that will ultimately benefit the economy as a whole.

New Technology Breakthroughs

Wrightspeed, a company based in Silicon Valley, is hard at work on the technology that could give all trucks on the road electric capabilities. The prototype for their designs has been implemented in an Isuzu delivery truck that appears to be conventional in design from its outward appearance. However, the traditional drive train and other components for these type of vehicles has been replaced by a pair of batteries. While the power of the engine has been reduced to 200 horsepower, its raw capabilities are still intact. The breakthrough with the technology is the amount of fuel that can be saved on an annual basis. Garbage trucks that are capable of being outfitted with this type of technology burn an estimated 14,000 gallons of fuel each year. With 95 percent of trucking operations currently relying on petroleum-based fuels, there is wealth of money to be saved by making the conversion.

Future Plans

Trucking companies around the nation are already beginning to take notice of the advances being made by Wrightspeed. At the moment, their battery is capable of traveling 40 miles on a single charge. However, they have plans for incorporating a turbine engine on board as well that is powered by natural gas in order to extend the range. While the cost of converting the average, large truck would be around $200,000, the company forecasts that the investment would be recouped in as little as four years.

The Astronomical Benefits

The numbers justify making a large-scale transition to electric vehicles of this kind. Studies estimate that dramatically increasing the fuel-efficiency of large trucks could lead to $24 billion in economic benefits for the U.S. economy in addition to the creation of nearly 124,000 in the United States. These vehicles have also proven to provide lower maintenance costs over time as well thanks to the simplicity of the design and the reduced brake wear.

While we might not automatically think of fuel efficiency when we see a truck on the road, that stigma could soon be changing. Even now, developers are designing everyday-use trucks with lighter materials in order to help with fuel economy. Although there is still more testing and research that needs to happen before we see electric trucks on the road, this is an exciting development that will no doubt save hundreds of thousands of dollars and benefit the environment in the near future. The information for this article was provided by the professionals at Tonka 4-Wheel Drive Ltd., who specialize in truck accessories in Edmonton.