Terminal tractors enter the green zone

In-Depth 1 Nov 2012 by WCN Editorial

Even as terminal tractor builders prepare for Stage IV/Tier 4 Final, innovators are looking for alternatives to diesel, including diesel hybrids and alternative fuels, such as CNG/ LNG, LPG and even petrol (gasoline). Most ambitiously, Capacity of Texas, Inc has developed a “zero emissions” plug-in electric/hydrogen fuel cell drive platform (ZETT) in collaboration with Vision Industries. It may be some time, if at all, before hydrogen fuel cells are commercially viable in the terminal tractor po

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Battery-electric terminal tractors were first developed in the US by Capacity of Texas in collaboration with Balqon Corporation. Lead-acid batteries are 100% recyclable, but experience has showed that more density is needed to provide shift autonomy at the power outputs demanded. This has led to the development by Balqon of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery drive. This was taken up in Europe by MOL Cy NV of Belgium, under license from Balqon, while Balqon itself has a contract to retrofit some of the earlier tractors supplied to Los Angeles.

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This complete item is approximately 3000 words in length, and appeared in the November 2012 issue of WorldCargo News, on page 31. To access this issue download the PDF here.