The truckers in a shed beating Tesla with 100-yr-old EV tech

The Tesla Semi is a nice idea, but it's not the answer for electrifying the millions of semi-trucks that power our economy. But a simple, century-old technology just might be.

When you think of a hybrid vehicle, you think of something like a Toyota Prius. There's a different kind of hybrid system that's been around for over a 100 years in trains and other industrial applications, though: a diesel-electric powertrain. This is where a diesel engine, instead of powering the wheels directly through a driveshaft, runs as a generator to charge batteries, which send juice to electric motors, which power the wheels. You get the torque and efficiency of an EV with the reliability and range of a combustion engine.

Edison Motors is a Canadian startup that is somehow the first serious effort to take this proven technology and put it into semi-trucks. It was founded by two former truckers who were frustrated with the Tesla Semi's development after placing an early order for one.

The idea just makes sense. Electric semis are expensive, heavy, and so far only make sense for local routes, not long haul work. A diesel-electric hybrid is cheaper, the same weight as a regular semi since it can use a smaller engine (so no payload is lost), and just as functional on a thousand-mile trip. It runs a lot cleaner than a regular diesel semi because the engine only operates at its most efficient RPM to keep the batteries charged. Despite the added batteries and e-axles, overall it's still as serviceable as a regular semi because it doesn't need the usual complicated emissions equipment either.

In less than ten years, they've made huge strides in their R&D, built several operational prototypes, and earned orders from major corporations. At the same time, they're an open, transparent outfit, posting regular updates on YouTube and social media and looking like they're having a heck of a time disrupting the disruptors. And they've got their eye on pickup trucks next.

Subscribe to Edison Motors on YouTube →    / @edisonmotors  

0:00 Who is Edison Motors?
1:38 Electric semi struggles
4:06 Edison's hybrid system
9:28 Realistic timeline
10:29 Diesel-electric pickups
11:34 Just the right approach

Written by →   / calebjwords  
Produced by →   / joeyrassool  
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