7 News Adelaide: Electric Truck Prototype (3/3/2024)

Didz

3 Mar 202401:34

Summary

TLDRAustralian electricity provider Ausgrid is developing electric vehicles to reduce transport emissions. They have created electric truck prototypes for testing, with rapid charging enabling long daily range. Ausgrid's CEO believes these could form a zero-emission fleet of the future. The company aims to facilitate electric vehicle charging alongside powering homes and businesses. This aligns with their goal to reduce carbon emissions, not ruling out future nuclear power among potential clean energy sources. Overall, Ausgrid is proactively innovating to enable cleaner electric transport.

Takeaways

😊 Australian electricity company testing prototype electric trucks for their fleet
🚚 Prototype electric trucks have similar performance to traditional trucks
🔋 Trucks can recharge batteries in about an hour
🌱 Company aims to reduce carbon emissions from their fleet
⛽️ Eliminating exhaust and engine noise from electric fleet
🔌 Company already distributes electricity, looking to distribute it for EVs too
🚛 Testing trucks first, cars and buses to follow
📈 Want to lead advances in EV technology
🔋 EV fleet would only need recharging on busiest storm response days
☢️ Company CEO doesn't rule out nuclear power playing a role in energy transition

Q & A

What type of vehicle is being tested by Ausgrid?
-Ausgrid is testing prototype electric trucks.
Why is Ausgrid interested in electric vehicles?
-As a distributor of electricity, Ausgrid wants to learn how to distribute electricity to power electric vehicles.
How long does it take to recharge the electric truck's batteries?
-The trucks can recharge their batteries in about an hour with a split charger set up.
What is the benefit of electric trucks having no exhaust or engine noise?
-Electric trucks with no exhaust or engine noise are better for the environment and reduce noise pollution.
What daily range do the electric trucks typically have?
-The electric trucks typically have a 250+ km daily range.
Who is Mark England and what future does he predict?
-Mark England is the CEO of Ausgrid. He predicts electric vehicles will be the 'fleet of the future' as part of reducing carbon emissions.
Is Ausgrid considering nuclear energy as part of its future energy mix?
-Yes, Ausgrid is keeping an open mind about including nuclear along with other energy sources in the future.
Why does Ausgrid want to reduce carbon emissions?
-As an electricity provider, reducing carbon emissions helps Ausgrid transition to cleaner energy and fight climate change.
What has Ausgrid already electrified besides trucks?
-Ausgrid has electrified cars and buses in addition to trucks.
How can electric trucks improve Ausgrid's operations?
-Electric trucks can help Ausgrid improve operations by reducing noise and emissions during tasks like storm response.