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CleanTechnica has been following the progress of Janus Electrical truck conversions for over three years.
Early days, David and Lex with the transformed Western Star. Photograph courtesy Majella Waterworth.
The modern tech trucking firm has simply introduced the launch of the primary accomplished solar-powered “Intermodal Charge & Change Station” on the Moorebank Intermodal Precinct in Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
In about 4 minutes (much less time than it takes a truckie to go to the john), the ability will swap the 2-metre-by-1.2-metre depleted truck batteries for batteries stuffed with sunshiney goodness, prepared for the subsequent 400 km of their run up the coast. It takes a lot much less time than filling up the large diesel tanks usually fitted to those rigs. Janus has strategically situated battery swap stations alongside main highways to maintain the vehicles on the transfer. Wish to see the battery swap in motion? Watch the video right here. It’s nice to see Lex driving the forklift. Once I final talked with Lex, he was planning to construct a robotic battery swapping station. Hopefully that’s nonetheless on the playing cards sooner or later.
It has been an extended haul for Janus Electrical, however now the corporate is making nice progress. The statistics listed on its web site are spectacular — up to now, 23 vehicles have been transformed, there are one other 155 confirmed orders, 2051 battery swaps have been accomplished, nearly 300,000 km have been pushed, 550,000 kWh of vitality have been used, and 9 cost and alter stations have been deployed. A measure of their success is that they’re promoting positions for diesel mechanics. Job safety for years to come back. Nicely executed, Janus.
OZ Minerals profitable trial of Janus Electrical prime mover. Photograph courtesy Qube.
The Cost & Change system can even assist in balancing the grid. Photo voltaic charging of batteries in the course of the day will cut back the “duck curve,” providing “utility providers and governments significant return on green technology infrastructure.” Electrical energy flows from grid to battery, battery to battery, and battery to grid. The time could come when Janus can provide firming as a service.
By changing current diesel vehicles to electrical, Janus can prolong the lifetime of the truck and cut back capital expenditure. Operators must have a look at a case-by-case situation and put their bean counters to work — what can be the return on funding when bearing in mind substitute vs. refurbishment of the previous motor, the price of diesel vs. electrical energy, and so on.? I believe that the electrical choice would win out most often.
Then there’s the problem of vitality safety. Australia makes use of 32 billion litres of diesel per yr. One quarter of that goes into trucking. 100% is imported. On this ever extra turbulent world, homegrown sunshine appears like a greater choice. To not point out higher for everybody’s well being. Diesel begins with “die.”
The just lately launched Moorebank Intermodal Precinct is the primary facility of its variety to be constructed the place freight is swapped between street and rail. The New South Wales authorities has launched a “Towards Net Zero Policy” aimed toward lowering the carbon footprint of heavy automobiles and rail freight. Mass provisions on state roads have been elevated, which signifies that electrical vehicles like these from Janus Electrical can be utilized with out lowering cargo portions.
Janus Electrical showcase. Photograph courtesy Janus Electrical.
Most Australians stay on the jap seaboard of the nation. The vast majority of freight motion is alongside the highways that hyperlink Melbourne in Victoria to Sydney in NSW and Brisbane in Queensland. That makes it a super route to affect. Though use instances for diesel will persist for the much less travelled inland routes, the primary highways are perfect for conversion to battery electrical.
Authorities modelling for New South Wales alone exhibits freight transport and logistics contributed an estimated $AU 74.3 billion to NSW GDP in 2022–2023, with the sector predicted to develop to an estimated $AU 131.5 billion by 2060–2061. “The freight transport and logistics sector provide more than 330,000 full time jobs, a number which could grow as high as 565,000 by 2060–61. As the freight sector continues to grow, the NSW Government will keep working with industry to ensure it embraces new technology to continue growing sustainably.”
Janus Electrical CEO Lex Forsyth stated: “Launching this solar-powered Charge and Change Station is a crucial step towards a cleaner, greener future for Australia’s transport sector. Janus Electric is at the forefront of electric vehicle innovation in Australia, offering cutting-edge solutions to help reduce carbon emissions in the heavy transport industry. Our Charge and Change Stations enable quick battery swaps for electric trucks, providing a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional refuelling methods.”
On a facet observe, Australia, particularly, Queensland, is trialling a hydrogen-powered semi. “Pure Hydrogen has successfully registered Australia’s first hydrogen fuel cell prime mover in Queensland, with the truck to be handed over in coming weeks. Formal registration of the Taurus hydrogen powered prime mover follows an extensive testing program to meet with domestic regulations. The 6×4 Taurus prime mover was first unveiled in Australia in September 2022, with Pure Hydrogen to deliver refuelling along with maintenance and repair services. It’s taken a long time to get the truck on the road, but with the vehicle now formally registered, a trial is about to commence, running for approximately six months. After over 12 months of rigorous vehicle testing, Pure Hydrogen has successfully completed the homologation and road approval process for its trial.”
On the problem of hydrogen refuelling (Australia solely has 4 hydrogen refuelling stations), Pure Hydrogen plans to construct an East Coast Hydrogen Tremendous Freeway. If it involves go, this will likely be Australia’s first community of hydrogen manufacturing services. Simply to confuse issues on the spectrum of hydrogen colors, they’ve launched much more. Including to inexperienced hydrogen, they’re now calling two of their proposed merchandise Emerald and Turquoise. Inexperienced, we perceive. It seems that emerald hydrogen is produced utilizing methane from biomass, and turquoise makes use of minimal methane.
In an modern transfer, “Pure Hydrogen is working with its partners to develop mobile refuelling options which it will use to service private and public enterprises across the world.” See the video of the launch of the prime mover right here. Sadly, I count on that this trial could also be as profitable as others abroad and never be capable to compete with battery electrical. We’ll see.
Australia has a couple of electrical prime movers out there now. CleanTechnica has reported on them right here and right here. Janus Electrical, with its use of battery swap stations and refurbishment of current vehicles, could show to be a greater choice than a brand new electrical truck. Transport corporations could have alternative and should sharpen their pencils as they make selections in the direction of a brighter, electrical future.
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Author : tech365
Publish date : 2025-01-04 04:51:11
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