New electric truck and bus platform enters testing
Industry newcomer Charge R&D Ltd is to begin testing a range-extended electric truck and bus chassis this month, prior to the commencement of commercial operations.
The company’s prototype demonstration truck (pictured) is now entering track-testing; and Charge says it plans to sell the technology it features to both truck and bus manufacturers for incorporation into their own products.
The company says its product is expected to come to market “at a price comparable to a conventional carbon fuel solution (excluding the battery cost),” and is designed for use on vehicles ranging from 2.5 to 26 tonnes.
Charge, which is based at Whiteways Technical Centre in Enstone, Oxfordshire, employs 40 engineers under technical director Glenn Saint, formerly a member of the senior management team of electric bus manufacturer Optare.
Meanwhile, a dedicated software team is working on the development of systems to deliver a ‘highly connected’ vehicle, which it is said will enhance operator and driver experience.
Charge says it will provide driveline solutions which aim to reduce carbon fuel usage by a factor of three or more, compared to current conventional CV designs, thereby encouraging adoption of low emissions solutions.
“We believe there is a real opportunity for a low emission truck and bus range extended electric platform which is a revolutionary departure from current chassis design in layout and low weight, with a high degree of zero emissions capability,” said Glenn Saint.
“It will be financially attractive to operate without external incentives, while offering users advanced features new to the commercial vehicle sector.”
He added that a number of European and Asian manufacturers and investors had already expressed interest – and said that some were already working with Charge to develop potential product offerings, including: “positioning, design and routes to industrialise the electric driveline solutions.”
Charge has been the first company in the UK to receive financial support from new $500 million international investment firm Kinetik, founded by Denis Sverdlov, former CEO of Russian mobile broadband services provider Yota. The company’s remit is to invest in: “high-growth companies which bring scalable and positive disruptive innovations to their industries.”
Glenn Saint said: “I am excited to be working with Denis and the Kinetik team. Their support and advice has formed an essential foundation for our journey to transform the automotive industry by using revolutionary technologies to make cost effective, energy efficient commercial vehicles. Kinetik’s forward-looking approach is helping to bring our ideas to reality.”
