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Balqon Corporation has begun production of 30-ton all-electric, heavy duty drayage trucks for San Pedro Bay, California’s port complex.  The truck, called the Nautilus E30, is a short-haul container mover (commonly called “Goats” or “Hostlers”) capable of moving 30-ton (60,000 pound) cargo containers at speeds up to 40mph with a 30-60 mile range per charge (depending on average haul).

The Nautilus E30 uses a 336v traction battery pack using deep cycle lead-acid batteries with a specialized design for maximum output.  An electronic management system monitors batteries and individual cells, alerting drivers and maintenance crew to problems.  The batteries are “hot swappable,” so they can be quickly changed out to provide freshly charged units without long shutdowns of the vehicle.  This will allow the E30s to operate nearly 24/7.  Each pack provides 167kWh.

The trucks themselves consume 1.2kWh in idle operation (which includes container lifting with the semi-hydraulic fifth wheel and other operations), 2.4kWh per mile when driving empty, and 4.4kWh per mile with a full load.  The chargers made for the battery packs can charge up to four packs simultaneously, putting a 60% charge in within an hour and a full charge in less than 5.

The test trucks for the E30 successfully completed cargo terminal tests in 2008 and the Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved purchase of 20 of the trucks as part of their “Green Terminal” program.  Currently, most yard hostlers are diesel vehicles and the idea is to eventually replace all of them with electrics.

In a somewhat unusual deal with the Port Authority, Balqon received funding and test access from the Port and the Port will receive royalties on each unit sold worldwide.  Balqon is also working on a local-haul, on the road electric truck for local delivery or storage movements.

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Source: Green Car Congress