Navistar launches eStar electric truck

[wpsedgwick]

Source: Examiner

Truck-maker Navistar officially unveiled its eStar medium-size electric delivery truck, four of which will be tested by FedEx in the Los Angeles areas.

The truck can go 100 miles on its batteries which can be charged overnight or removed and replaced with fresh ones, according to Navistar.

Read more: http://www.examiner.com/x-42287-Chicago-Green-Technology-Examiner~y2010m5d18-Navistar-launches-eStar-electric-truck

[Trillo]

1. I was just reading about Tesla's electric car this morning.

Over 100 years ago, according to what I read, electric cars could go about 100 miles.

more@ http://keelynet.com/energy/teslafe1.htm

[Tunkamerica]

2. I'm assuming much more slowly

[truthisfreedom]

7. Unfortunately, there is a lot of false stuff about Tesla on the "interweb."

Take it with a grain of salt. He was part showman, part genius, and part marketing man.

[protocol rv]

8. At 2 mph, with one passenger

Or something like that :-)

[MidwestRick]

3. Nice...

My wife just submitted her resume for a position with them.

-MR

[Bigmack]

4. To me, a huge part of the transportation problem....

is trucks. How does our economy get large, heavy bunches of stuff from rail centers or ports these days? Big Mutha Trucks. The Navistar is an excellent start, but until we figure out how to move a couple of tons of toilet paper down the road to Mall-Wart without using so much fossil fuel, we are slaves to oil.

[mr clean]

5. Too bad UPS didn't get the contract,

FedEx Spent $21.1 Million In 15 Months To Preserve Its Ability To Prevent Drivers From Unionizing
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8361953

This is from the source
http://www.navistar.com/Navistar/News/Newsroom#
"Unlike other electric trucks that are reconfigured models of fossil-fuel trucks, the eStar truck has been purpose-built for electric power, creating an advantage with a low center of gravity (the battery is between the frame rails, not mounted on top) and a 36-foot turning radius. The eStar is engineered with superior aerodynamics, a walk-through cab and a quick-change cassette-type battery that can be swapped out in 20 minutes, enabling around the clock operation. It is capable of carrying payloads up to two tons. "

I like the swapping out the battery part.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. Makes good sense for trucks.

Electric motors produce so much more torque than ICEs. That's why freight trains are all diesel electric these days.

I heard something about the Port of LA going all electric for their vehicles.

[protocol rv]

9. I''ve seen electric golf carts

In the movies. Electric vehicles aren't really practical. Hybrids are more practical.