Electric components manufacturer Brusa Elektronik AG has secured a contract to supply drivetrain components such as motors, inverters and chargers for Switzerland’s first 18t E-FORCE electric truck.
The E-FORCE electric truck was jointly developed by EFORCE ONE AG and Designwerk GmbH for use in short-haul services and the national distribution of goods.
With a range of around 300 kilometers (186 miles), the E-FORCE electric truck is the ideal vehicle to distribute goods nationally. During loading and unloading at the depot the truck can be recharged in just a few hours. Thanks to the two 22 kW on-board fast chargers from BRUSA a full charge only takes six hours.
In inner-city stop and go traffic the E-FORCE truck benefits from the instant torque of the two BRUSA 150 kW electric motors. This also results in better acceleration compared to standard trucks – all with no emissions and less noise.
The E-FORCE truck, built with an IVECO Stralis chassis, uses dual 120 kWh, 400V LiFePo4 battery packs. Maximum speed is 87 km/h (54 mph) and is electronically limited. Energy consumption on the highway is 80-110 kWh/100km; city consumption is 60-90 kWh/100km.
The E-FORCE drivetrain comprises the following BRUSA components:
– 2 x BRUSA HSM1-10.18.13 motors each with 150 kW (204 PS) and 305 Nm (225 lb ft) of torque
– 2 x BRUSA DMC534 inverters
– 2 x BRUSA NLG6 on-board fast chargers each supplying 22 kW
– 1 x BRUSA BSC614-24V DC/DC converter to power the 24-V auxiliary system
The real strength of the E-FORCE electric truck lies in its low operating costs. The operator benefits from the low energy consumption of the truck and reasonable electricity rates. Furthermore, in Switzerland electric trucks are exempt from the performance-related heavy vehicle fee (HVF). With an efficiency of around 95% the electric motors convert much more of the primary energy into movement than is the case with an internal combustion engine. If the truck is charged with electricity from renewable sources such as solar or hydro power plants, the truck truly becomes a zero-emissions vehicle.
The E-FORCE electric truck has undergone extensive testing in recent months. It has climbed the Gotthard Pass at 2,106 m (6,909 ft) successfully three times, thereby proving the reliability and performance of the BRUSA drivetrain.