Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/215766
EQUIPMENT: ELECTRIC TRUCKS Once the diesel-electric hybrid truck has been maneuvered into an eHighway lane, a continuously monitoring sensor in the truck's nose detects the presence of the overhead power lines and automatically deploys a prong-shaped wand called a pantograph. The pantograph wand relay system makes contact with the power lines and acts as a conduit for the electrical power flowing from the lines and directly to the vehicle's electric motor. pantograph not only moves up and down to make connection with the power lines, it also moves side-to-side to maintain contact and counteract normal steering input from the driver. Most importantly, the system is highly flexible: Once on the grid, trucks are not stuck in position as if they were on a slot car track. Nor are they locked into a predetermined shared speed: Vehicle speed remains completely under the driver's control. If the truck needs to pass a slower truck in the eHighway lane, the system automatically disconnects from the power grid as the truck pulls out of the lane. Once the slower vehicle has been passed and the driver returns to the eHighway lane, the system automatically reengages the power grid. The driver also retains full control of all braking and steering functions in electric drive mode – just as he would with a conventional diesel truck, Sommer says. Even better, any kinetic energy generated by a truck connected to the wires is put back into the grid automatically, where it can be used by other trucks. If the sensor in the truck's nose is not functioning, the driver AFTERMARKET COLLISION PARTS OFFERING A FULL LINE OF AFTERMARKET FUEL TANKS, FUEL CAPS, STRAPS, BRACKETS & MORE! 2 Year Warranty Meet FMCSA Regulations Full Line Of Accessories f Home O 888-875-7787 www.4StateTrucks.com I-44, Exit 4 Joplin, MO Text INFO to 205-289-3554 or visit www.ccjdigital.com/info COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2013 51