electric vehicles

Cummins commits to electrification and more

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Cummins is pledging to launch a fully electrified powertrain in 2019, and a range-extended electric powertrain in 2020. But senior executives stress that these rollouts will be for urban transit vehicles, and that electrified long-haul trucks are still years from reality. "We are not just a diesel engine company," proclaimed Chief Executive Officer Tom Linebarger, during a Wednesday conference call. "Technology is what we do. Innovation is what we do." An internal electrification business group is combining Cummins expertise with selected partners, as they collectively develop power storage, related electronics, and traction motors.

Canada’s emission goals take center stage

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Canada's is embracing an "ambitious" climate change objective that by 2030 would eliminate more Greenhouse Gases than come from every vehicle on the road today, according to Jody Proctor, Transport Canada's director - clean air policy analysis. Almost ¼ of the nation's Greenhouse Gas emissions come from transportation, and 80% of that comes from on-road vehicles, she said during a panel discussion at the annual Green Truck Summit. Trucks account for about 30% of that. "Transportation clearly needs to be part of our climate change solution," she told the crowd, stressing that climate change will cost Canadians $21-43 billion per year by 2050.

Deal signed to support BYD

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Mississauga Bus, Coach and Truck Repairs has signed a deal to support BYD electric vehicles in Eastern Canada. The Mississauga, Ontario company will handle parts, service and warranty for the products. "One of the biggest concerns we had was being able to support any vehicles from California or China. With this agreement in place, these concerns are alleviated," said Ted Dowling, vice president of BYD Heavy Equipment. "It's a great vote of confidence in our product and technology to have them associated with BYD." "We were very impressed with the plants our team visited in China and in California. With the concern over emissions and the move toward zero-emission vehicles, we know that electric vehicles will be part of the future of transportation. Our dedicated technicians look at this as a great opportunity to learn a new skill," added Mahendra Mahadeo, president of Mississauga Bus, Coach and Truck.

Tesla to build trucks, defends autonomous vehicles

PALO ALTO, CA - Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk is turning his sights to commercial vehicles, unveiling a "master plan" for the company that includes producing a new Tesla Semi. "In addition to consumer vehicles, there are two other types of electric vehicle needed: heavy-duty trucks and high passenger-density urban transport," he writes in the plan that was posted last night. "Both are in the early stages of development at Tesla and should be ready for unveiling next year. We believe the Tesla Semi will deliver a substantial reduction in the cost of cargo transport, while increasing safety and making it really fun to operate."

Quite Wright: Tesla co-founder sets his sights on trucks

Ian Wright co-founded Tesla Motors and developed the fastest street-legal electric car in the world. But these days he has set his sights on something bigger - an electric powertrain for commercial vehicles. Wrightspeed's range-extended electric powertrain known as the Route enters production in a matter of months, and the company CEO boldly predicts that electric waste trucks will overtake the sale of diesel models in as little as five years. There have been other attempts to electrify trucks in the past. One thing that sets the Route apart, however, is its Fulcrum turbine.

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