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Battery
electrics today – hybrids tomorrow
Transport companies
concerned about the planned Low Emission Zone (LEZ) restrictions in
London and others simply keen to show their green credentials, through
dramatic emission reductions (including of course carbon dioxide and
noise), are showing great interest in diesel-electric hybrids. But there
are, as yet, no hybrids available on the UK market. Most are still at
the prototype stage and involve such heavy on-costs which most would be
contenders are unwilling to discuss.
In the meantime the
same LEZ and green motivations are driving a resurgence of interest in
battery-electric vans and trucks. They are simpler and less costly than
an equivalent hybrid, but with obvious range and performance
shortcomings. Arguably no vehicle builder in the world has more
experience of battery-electrics than (the now slightly renamed) Smith
Electric Vehicles of Tyne and Wear, whose milk-floats have been going
into service with dairies all over the UK for well over 40 years.
At the NEC show SEV had
on display a new generation of battery-electrics comprising repowered
versions of established diesel-engined models, notably Ford Transit vans
and chassis-cabs at 3.5 tonnes gvw and the Avia chassis-cab (dubbed the
Newton by SEV) at 7.5 and 9 tonnes.
Adoption of Zebra
sodium nickel chloride batteries in place of the hitherto ubiquitous
lead-acid type are at the heart of what is claimed to be the technology
breakthrough for SEV. They are some 80% lighter than lead-acid units
with the same energy storage and deliver more performance. The
converted Transit on show in Birmingham has a claimed top speed of
80km/h in combination with a range of up to 240km. Its kerb weight is
quoted at 2049kg including its two battery packs. (A third battery can
be specified to meet different range versus payload priorities.)
On a nearby stand Modec
showed the distinctive bow-fronted battery-electric range which made its
debut at last year’s NEC show. Modec uses the same Zebra advanced
battery technology as SEV.
Commercial News Links
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for the future
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1,000th Citroen Berlingo
Dual Fuel Conversion
Volvo nearer to
viable heavy commercial vehicle
Cenex to support Modec electric commercial
vehicles
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