G. David Felt - Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.cheersandgears.com

Cummins Beats Tesla

First round of the Electrified Semi truck fight goes to Cummins. Tuesday August 29th 2017 Cummins introduced to the world their AEOS Electrified Class 7 Semi. This is an 18,000 pound big rig capable of carrying a 44,000 pound payload using a 140 kWh battery pack. This fully functional prototype truck a city range of 100 miles pure electric. Cummins said this is a true city oriented cargo solution that is silent and green for use in city deliveries. The truck has a 140 kWh recharger that allows a 1hr recharge time of the 140 kWh battery pack. Cummins says that by 2020 when it is available for purchase they will have the recharge time down to 20 min. Production of this truck begins end of 2018 to early 2019 with an on sale date of early 2020.

Cummins developed and built this truck working with Roush Industries. Cummins has stated they will not build the truck themselves but will provide the powertrain and battery pack and are looking for additional companies interested in building electrified Semi's.

Cummins also plans to offer a longer distance model using the style of the Chevrolet Volt. Cummins will have their 100 mile pure Electric system along with a small form factor Diesel generator which they say will as a hybrid cut emissions more than 50%. The hybrid will give 300 miles plus.

Tesla may be the High Profile EV builder, but Cummins beat them to the punch for electrified Semi's. Clearly Cummins has chosen to battle with new startups Nikola Motor Company and Proterra.

CNET Story

I LOVE that it has a Volt-like diesel generator for extended range. 

Cool, but for pure city truck they should have gone with cab over engine design for greater maneuverability.

8 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I LOVE that it has a Volt-like diesel generator for extended range. 

Not yet, they plan to do it.  This is pure electrical.

Edited August 30, 20178 yr by ykX

10 minutes ago, ykX said:

Cool, but for pure city truck they should have gone with cab over engine design for greater maneuverability.

Not yet, they plan to do it.  This is pure electrical.

Oh, I read this "Cummins’ use of a low-emissions internal combustion engine-generator to augment an electric truck’s batteries and provide extended range “is one of the technology architectures we’ve specifically identified as having a business case,” said Van Amburg." and assumed that was implemented in this truck. 

14 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Oh, I read this "Cummins’ use of a low-emissions internal combustion engine-generator to augment an electric truck’s batteries and provide extended range “is one of the technology architectures we’ve specifically identified as having a business case,” said Van Amburg." and assumed that was implemented in this truck. 

Yup this truck is their pure EV, the Hybrid is an option they are planning for. Either way trucks like this in the city are awesome for cleaner air, less noise.

57 minutes ago, ykX said:

Cool, but for pure city truck they should have gone with cab over engine design for greater maneuverability.

Not yet, they plan to do it.  This is pure electrical.

I take either style, end result is a win win for everyone in the city with no noise.

That rear platform where the 5th wheel hookup is would certainly seem to me to be a perfect place for the battery pack(s).