news

Cummins Aeos: Electric semi truck concept revealed

Engine and power firm, Cummins, has taken the wraps off its AEOS all-electric semi truck concept this week, beating Silicon Valley's Tesla to the punch.


Instead of a conventional 12-litre turbo-diesel engine, the Cummins AEOS uses a 140kWh battery pack that gives it a range of around 100 miles (160km) on a single charge.

While the standard setup won't be much use for long-distance work, Cummins says the AEOS's range can be extended to 300 miles (482km) through extra battery packs.

The company claims the weight of the electric powertrain is roughly equal to that of the removed engine, after-treatment, transmission and fuel tank.

While outputs haven't been detailed, the AEOS has a claimed gross vehicle weight rating limit of 75,000 pounds (34,019kg) when paired with a trailer.

Other features include regenerative braking, potential for solar panels on the trailer roof, and an in-dash camera system that replaces conventional side mirrors for better aerodynamics.

The Cummins AEOS has been designed to limit the vehicle's impact on the environment. Cummins argues that the electric semi can be full carbon neutral if charging power is generated from 100 per cent renewable sources.

At an event held this week, the company also revealed several other power solutions and energy-diverse products, including new natural gas engine technology, super-efficient diesel engines, and plans to introduce a "revolutionary" heavy-duty diesel engine in 2022.

"These new technological innovations build on our 100-year legacy of bringing the best solutions to our customers, driving their success and meeting the evolving demands of their industries and markets,” said Jennifer Rumsey, chief technical officer for Cummins.

Production of the electric semi is reportedly scheduled for 2019, though Cummins is said to only want to supply the battery and powertrain and outsource the production of the truck's body.

The Cummins AEOS is the third eco-friendly semi-trailer to be detailed in recent months, following the hydrogen fuel-cell powered Nikola One (above), and the upcoming Tesla Semi.

Chat with us!







Chat with Agent