LAs helping hand
Helped through the clean air initiative of the Port of Los Angeles, the development of the new Balqon electric truck was co-funded by the port and South Coast Air Quality Management District at a total cost of $527,000.
Designed specifically for drayage operations, the Nautilus E30, is capable of pulling a 60,000-pound cargo container at a top speed of 40 mph, and has a range between 30 to 60 miles per battery charge.
Most importantly, Balqon’s independent test data shows that electric yard tractors are just much, much cheaper both in maintenance and fuel – reducing operational costs by over 58%.
The E30 uses a 336v traction battery pack using especially designed deep cycle lead-acid batteries. They consume 2.4kWh per mile when driving empty, and 4.4kWh per mile with a full load.
An integrated CAN BUS system also monitors batteries and individual cells, and packs can be charged four at a time, putting a 60% charge in within an hour and a full charge in less than five. Also, the batteries are “hot swappable,” so a vehicle can be quickly linked up to freshly charged units without a long shutdown.
Following the successful completion of cargo terminal tests during 2008, the LA Harbor Commission approved the purchase of 20 all-electric units (including five road trucks).
In total, the port is investing more than $5.6m to demonstrate the viability of electric drayage trucks, and in return Balqon is to provide a royalty payment to the port for each vehicle it sells or leases worldwide.
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