The Weekly Wrap: Friday February 12

News

12 Feb

Written By Graham 'Kermie' Harsant

Detroit Turning Electric

(Not the city of Detroit which has been on electricity for some time)

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has announced the proprietary Detroit ePowertrain to power the upcoming Freightliner eCascadia and Freightliner eM2 as part of Daimler Trucks’ global platform strategy to establish a uniform basic architecture for their broad line-up of battery-electric vehicles around the globe.

Initially, the Detroit ePowertrain will offer an eAxle design operating at 400 volts and be offered in two variants suitable for a variety of commercial vehicle applications. The single motor design is rated at 180 horsepower, delivering maximum torque of up to 11,500 lb-ft of torque, while the dual motor design offers double that on both fronts.

The Detroit ePowertrain will be mated to the choice of three battery offerings for the eCascadia and eM2, including a 210 kilowatt hour (kWh) version, a 315 kWh version, and a 475 kWh version.

Battery packs are comprised of arrays of lithium-Ion prismatic cells. In Detroit’s first ePowertrain offerings, the maximum range specifications will exceed 370 kilometres on a full charge for the medium-duty eM2 and 400km for the Class 8 eCascadia prime mover.

Melbourne to Tarcutta is 457 kms, so we ‘currently’ (Haha, did you see what I did there?) have a line haul problem, Scotty.

Seriously though, I watched a show on the box the other night about the 2000’s. I’d forgotten the Nokia mobile phones we had then, or that Facebook, You Tube, Tesla, etc weren’t even around then. Who knows what tomorrow will bring eh?

….

The ATA has called for Federal Government investment in safer roads, rest areas and bridges, in its 2021-22 pre-budget submission.

They have also called for:

Investing in improved capability and resourcing of the Dept. of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, and Infrastructure Australia.
Government to support industry and remove barriers to reducing emissions from transport (There are barriers to REDUCING emissions?)
National reform agendas for removing stamp duty and payroll tax.
Cancelling the mandatory Super increase (I believe the Feds are ahead of them on this one).
Investment in extending safety-focused crash investigations for heavy vehicles.

Mr Smith said upgrading the road network would have enormous benefits for safety and productivity.

That’s a pretty impressive wish list. I’d like a beachside house, a new Land Rover Defender (top of the line of course) and an increase to the pension.

To quote someone: As hand took hand in the Promised Land, and pigs flew overhead.

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MaxiTRANS OPENS UP NEW SHOP

MaxiTRANS has opened a new advanced manufacturing facility in Ipswich, with the help of the Queensland Government, creating up to 70 new jobs. MaxiTRANS Managing Director and CEO Dean Jenkins said the new facility was an exciting expansion for the company, its workers and customers. more

Yes, we know trailers aren’t as sexy as rigs, but there’s a bunch of folk who now have a job and that’s a very good thing.

….

Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds have partnered with Griffith University for a research project that aims to better understand mental health and wellbeing within the transport and logistics sector. The research will investigate the positive and negative impacts of operational factors, such as loading and unloading issues, workplace communication and time scheduling along with workplace stress.

So if you get a call from Griffith Uni don’t hang up. We’re sure you’ve got plenty to say on this topic.

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