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Plug-in, all-electric, walk-in van chassis made in Gaffney were introduced this week at the 2010 National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck Show. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp.’s new chassis model is the only one domestically engineered and the first in the industry to be completely all-electric in North America.
GSA Daily Staff Report
Published March 11, 2010
Plug-in, all-electric, walk-in van chassis made in Gaffney were introduced this week at the 2010 National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck Show. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp.’s new chassis model is the only one domestically engineered and the first in the industry to be completely all-electric in North America.
The all-electric chassis, developed in partnership with Enova Systems Inc., is built on the FCCC MT-45 WIV chassis platform. The show in St. Louis runs March 9-12.
“In partnership with Enova we have developed an all-electric chassis to meet the environmental, economic and performance needs of our commercial vehicle customers,” said Bob Harbin, FCCC president. “Our vision is clearly focused on transitioning the all-electric chassis into the mainstream of our walk-in van production programs. This new program demonstrates that FCCC remains fully committed to engineering chassis options that lower operating costs and decrease carbon footprints for our customers.”
The new all-electric chassis enables fleet operators to eliminate harmful emissions and cut operating and maintenance costs. On select delivery and service routes, the company says studies show that customers will save up to $15,000 per vehicle annually compared with traditionally powered walk-in vans.
This new chassis has a flat-leaf spring front and rear suspension that minimizes cargo shifts on uneven road surfaces.
“Unlike competitive models, our all-electric chassis is custom-built from the ground up for the walk-in van market, integrating the proven ergonomic advantages of WIV bodies,” Harbin added. “Competitor chassis are a cab chassis configuration and end up as box trucks typically built for the trucking industry. Competitor products do not offer the ergonomic benefits and safety features of a WIV such as curb-side exit, walk-through cargo area, direct access to cargo area from driver’s station."
The development program with Enova involved the engineering and integration of Enova’s all-electric drive system technology into the new MT-45 chassis. Ideal for the pickup and delivery market, the MT-45 chassis boasts a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,000 to 19,500 pounds
“Collaborating with Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation has enabled us to achieve our shared goal of introducing all-electric drive technology into the walk-in van market,” said Mike Staran, president and CEO of Enova Systems. “The FCCC-Enova partnership is accelerating the broad deployment of EV technology in this critical vehicle segment while improving the environment and helping to reduce U.S. dependence on imported energy.”
Powered by Tesla Motors Inc. lithium ion batteries, the chassis is 100% electric, including its HVAC system, making it the only fully featured WIV chassis in the industry to be completely electrically powered. FCCC is the first company within the industry to utilize Tesla batteries for commercial applications.
The all-electric drive system features battery packs that provide up to 100-mile driving range on a single charge, making it ideal for pickup and delivery applications. The battery pack will charge from fully depleted to fully charged in six to eight hours.
The all-electric MT-45 chassis is expected to go into full production during the first quarter of 2011 and will undergo testing with major U.S. pickup and delivery fleets.
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