Old diesel truck convert to Electric Vehicle
About this good practice
Local development agency (99 % owned by municipality), R&D operators and companies are collaborating in creating an ecosystem to support usage of e-trucks including driver education, charging capabilities, test track and measurement system for e-truck testing, programming, monitoring and development of autonomous driving.
Keuruu R&D-center was started in August 2022 with the help of local development fund and the European Regional Development Fund. The project is coordinated by Keulink Oy. The aim is to retrofit electric trucks. Conversion of diesel trucks is significantly cheaper, faster, and more environmentally friendly than building brand new e-trucks.
Since then, R&D-center has developed two test vehicles and continued developing retrofitting technology. A private company working close with the R&D-center have an aim to increase the number of conversions to over 200 trucks annually.
The main target is to get a new life and most economical solution to use an old diesel truck further Euro 6 and beyond.
Resources needed
The initiative of a R&D development center for E-truck was explored in a project funded by regional development grant (28,000 €). The investment budget for the development project was 440,000€ and for IoT environment for smart application was 105,000€.
One PM, one supervisor and 3 assembly workers.
Evidence of success
The first 2 test vehicles have now been successfully in operation for more than a year. Following a test run, the Finnish company in question has decided to convert more than 50 light duty trucks to EV mode.
Potential for learning or transfer
Many public authors have set ambitious climate targets, and the transport sector has a key role in achieving them. This good practice is a good example of how public money can support new innovations and accelerate the uptake of electricity in heavy goods vehicles, and thus support the climate objectives set to transport by public actors. Conversion is significantly cheaper than new e-trucks, but its mainstreaming requires actions from public authorities.
It is easy to convert existing diesel truck to EV mode by taking the diesel powertrain out, including engine, gearbox and fuel and exhaust ATS (aftertreatment system), then add Electric powertrain including electric traction motor, power electronics and battery system. The chassis, cabin and brakes are only refurbished. This gives new life to the old vehicle, which is more sustainable and cost effective than to build a total new HD e-truck.
Further information
Good practice owner
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