Our industry is poised for a technological revolution. Most commercial vehicles today struggle to meet carbon emission regulations, have too many moving parts that need maintenance, and come with a high cost of ownership. These factors – along with breakthroughs in autonomous driving technology – are paving the way for an electric commercial vehicle industry. In fact, the global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, who is heavily involved in market research and analysis in this space, forecasts the adoption rate for electrification in North America to exceed 29% of annual truck and bus sales by 2025.
The early days of electrification
Behind the scenes, the revolution has already begun with companies like Daimler, Volkswagen, and Tesla announcing they are developing electric commercial vehicles – and they’re way past the prototype stage. Tesla says production for their electric semi-truck will begin in 2019.
As a matter of fact, Tesla claims its cost of ownership will be 20 percent less per mile compared with diesel trucks. Plus, it will have a better uphill performance, a 500-mile range at maximum weight at highway speed, and “thermonuclear explosion-proof glass” in the windshield. To make it possible, they will build a network of “Megachargers” that will provide a 400-mile charge in 30 minutes.
Electric innovation at ConMet
At ConMet we’ve been busy preparing for the electrification revolution with the development of the PreSet Plus® Electric Hub (eHub™) – an in-wheel electric drive system that provides robust hybrid propulsion for commercial trucks, tractors, and trailers.
By harnessing the power of regenerative braking, our innovative PreSet Plus Electric Hub™ is lighter, simpler, and more efficient than other electric drivetrains currently on the market.
Its innovative design doesn’t require a transmission, drive shafts, or differentials allowing for seamless integration into existing vehicle architectures. Power and regenerative braking occurs at the wheel, which:
- Reduces complexity
- Reduces weight
- Minimizes drivetrain losses
This breakthrough technology also saves fuel and reduces carbon emissions. By applying power captured from regenerative braking directly to the wheels, the hub is able to decrease the demand on the vehicle engine, resulting in improved overall efficiency.
But at ConMet, our PreSet Plus Electric Hub™ is just the start. As we look toward the future, we are excited to continue developing innovative parts and help drive the commercial vehicle industry into the era of electrification.
To learn more about the Electric Hub or other ConMet products, email [email protected].
