Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/978416
commercial carrier journal | may 2018 31 e liquid-cooled motor system makes the equivalent of about 198 hp and 564 lb.-. of torque and gives an estimated 50-mpg equivalent. e drivesha and rear differential have been eliminated because each wheel gets its own motor. With a payload capacity of 6,000 pounds, the V8070 offers about 1,350 pounds more hauling capa- bility than a Ford Transit. Its 580 cubic feet of cargo space is about 40 cubic feet more than a high-roof long-wheelbase Transit, but the Class 5 electric weighs over a ton more than the largest Transit model. Most of the added weight comes from the battery supply, which is mounted between the frame rails. This gives the van a noticeably lower center of gravity, removing most of the top-heavy feel associated with large cargo vans. The average route for a medi- um-duty commercial truck is about 65 miles, well within the Chanje 70- kWh battery's 100-mile range. You can squeeze out a few more miles of range through the van's regenerative braking, which cycles energy from the brakes back to the batteries after they dip below a 95 percent charge. Maximum range is calculated on a diminishing payload that begins the day at 3,000 pounds and ends the day empty. "We're laser-focused on last-mile," Hansel says. "Most people aren't going to push the payload. In package delivery, [6,000 pounds] is a lot of weight." The V8070 features a 7.2-kW onboard charger and a standard SAE J1772 connector that complement typical commercial van duty cycles. There's no need to interrupt your route to find a fuel station; just plug in the V8070 at your depot for an overnight charge. The passenger car-inspired cab is home to a 10.4-inch Android-based touchscreen display with LTE con- nectivity that controls most of the van's features, such as lighting and temperature. It also offers weather updates and shows how much energy is left in the battery. The V8070 also features power windows, power locks and smartphone-to-media system connectivity. e steering on the unibody rear- wheel drive V8070 is tight, maneu- vering crowded urban roads much better than its 194.3-inch wheelbase and overall 318.1-inch length would suggest. A turning radius of 26.6 feet is staggering considering the V8070 is about 28.3 inches longer than a long-wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter but turns curb-to-curb in half the distance. Strong business case Hansel says the company hasn't pinned down a sticker price for the van, but he does expect the upfront cost to be a premium over similar gas and diesel models. However, reduced fuel and maintenance costs over the van's life- cycle are expected to negate any price differential, he says. Considering the advanced status of much of Chanje's technology, the function is really quite traditional. Unless you're listening closely to the reduced noise level or you're tuned into your reduced carbon footprint, the Chanje panel van works and feels like a panel van. It does the job, just in a unique way. The adoption of technology is tough to predict, but the Chanje V8070 makes a strong business case for itself among short-haul return- to-base operations that may need a little more cargo space, and Ryder's vast network should alleviate any service concerns. The shift to electric mobility is underway, and the first seat at the commercial transportation table has been filled. BETTER PLANNING Predictive maintenance and actionable information mean greater equipment uptime and stronger compliance. Contact Us: tmwsystems.com phone: 1.800.401.6682