A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Alkane Truck Company, based in Myrtle Beach, SC, and evLaboratory Inc., to have the latter’s powertrain and battery management technology integrated into Alkane’s OEM chassis products, Commercial Carrier Journal reported.
The first anticipated model will be a Class 6 electric truck with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. for city environments. evLabs’ electric powertrain is rated at 325 hp. and 480 lbs.-ft. of torque. Class 4 to 7 trucks will be developed as well.
evLabs’ vehicle technology uses an electric drivetrain system using a sequence of electric motors that can range from 100 to 700 hp. with corresponding high levels of torque, it said. The energy efficiency is presented through the lithium batteries, described as fully recyclable and is the main centerpiece of the battery management system that evLabs has put in place.
“Demand for Zero Emission Vehicles and Low [nitrogen oxide] NOx engines will see dramatic growth in the years to come and significant investment incentives are being offered to accelerate fleet transition from fossil fuel to zero and low emission transportation,” said Robert Smith, Alkane CEO.
Smith used California as an example of the advantages of shifting to developing zero emission vehicles. “For example, California has approved clean-air incentive programs that provide fleet vouchers of $90,000 to $100,000 per truck for Class 6 ZEV trucks coming to market in 2018,” he said.
Alkane’s MOU with evLabs was the second reported agreement that the trucking company has secured this year. Its previous transaction was with the Brazilian truck manufacturer Agrale, with the hope of offering Class 7 trucks for public transportation purposes.
According to its website, despite having “the largest natural gas basins in the world,” less than 1% of the vehicles running in the United States are operational under the alternative fuel technology. Initially known for offering Class 7 trucks running on liquid propane gas and compressed natural gas, Alkane is expanding its offerings to other classifications of trucking products, starting with electric.
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