SEA Electric adds hydrogen power option to electric trucks

Electric drive system manufacturer SEA Electric is adding a hydrogen-power range extending option to its systems powering large commercial vehicles.

The company will launch the new SEA-Drive 250 power-system, with an optional hydrogen range extender (RE) considered ideal for heavier duty-cycles at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in California.

The SEA-Drive new models are aimed at vehicles with a GVWR/GCWR of up to 80,000lbs (36,250kg), in Class 8 rigid or day-cab configurations.

The RE model pairs the power-system with a 45kW hydrogen fuel cell, extending potential range, with the architecture set to have far-reaching implications in the sector.

SEA Electric Founder and CEO Tony Fairweather said: “The SEA-Drive 250 RE represents a major breakthrough for SEA Electric in our efforts to electrify the world’s commercial transport fleet.

“The power-system is perfectly suited to the rigors of lighter duty refuse collection, with the platform already proven in other deployments in the space via pure-battery powered configurations.

“For SEA Electric, this new product combination offers us the opportunity to branch out into some fantastic new areas and applications, which can now benefit from our leadership in the industry, such as day-cab and drayage tractor applications.”

The new model designations join the SEA-Drive 70, 100, 120 and 180, which have been proven in the field with over two million miles of real-world use in a range of truck, bus and light commercial applications.

The SEA-Drive 250 will feature maximum power of 670hp (500kW) and peak torque of 4,579 lb-ft (6,200Nm), with power drawn from a 250kWh battery pack.

Fairweather said: “In regards to the refuse industry, the SEA-Drive® 250 RE will allow us to provide a solution for 95 per cent of the market via any chassis combination.

“The combination of battery electric with the optional fuel cell extender will optimize weight and cost, whilst delivering the full fleet duty-cycle requirements, with performance that has never been seen before in this segment.

“One of the competitive advantages of the SEA-Drive® power-system is that all ancillary functions are completely electrified, with all hydraulics systems involved in the compacting and operation of the refuse body completely managed by the integrated systems.

“What this means is that noisy refuse trucks will be a thing of the past, which is sure to be welcomed by anyone living in an urban environment.”

The ACT Expo runs from May 1-4 at the Anaheim Convention Centre.

Picture: SEA-Electric