German Supplier ZF Converted A Chevy Silverado HD Into An EV
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German automotive supplier ZF has transformed a current-generation Chevy Silverado HD into an EV using its innovative new eBeam Axle – an electrified solid rear axle designed to be used in battery-electric pickup truck and van applications.
ZF demonstrated the ability of its converted Chevy Silverado HD to a journalist from WardsAuto during the company’s Next Generation Mobility Days event at the M1 Concourse circuit in Michigan last week. The publication says the converted Silverado HD uses a single rear eBeam Axle, which is rated at 402 horsepower and 7,376 pound-feet of wheel torque, along with an off-the-shelf battery from Chinese supplier CATL and an 800V system architecture. ZF told WardsAuto its demonstration vehicle should have a towing capacity of around 10,000 pounds and would be capable of DC fast charging its 210 kWh battery from flat to full in about an hour.
The supplier did not provide a range estimate for its converted Chevy Silverado HD, as this is a demonstration vehicle intended to showcase the capabilities of the eBeam Axle only. The axle itself would be sold to manufacturers for use in production full-size pickup trucks, vans and even Class 6 trucks, so the range of the ZF demonstration vehicle with an off-the-shelf CATL battery is not relevant.
ZF is targeting a production start date of 2025 or 2026 for the eBeam Axle. It has not yet received any supply contracts from OEMs for the tech, although the drop-in solution could be an inexpensive way for automakers to convert existing fleet trucks and vans to battery-electric. ZF says the eBeam Axle can replace both front and rear axles to enable four-wheel drive, and will also be available in various power outputs ranging from 241 horsepower to 469 horsepower.
Some automakers, like GM for example, are using their own proprietary technology to shift into EVs. GM would seemingly have little use for technology like the eBeam Axle, as it has already developed its own Ultium Drive electric motors and Ultium battery pack for use in fleet vehicles like the Chevy Silverado EV WT and BrightDrop Zevo 400 and Zevo 600 vans. This technology may still be appealing to OEMs in heavier fleet vehicles, though, like the Chevy Silverado Medium Duty or Chevy Low Cab Forward, for example.
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Under 8000lbs rear wheel torque? They do realize that the 1500 WT with the 2.7 makes in excess of 12000 in 1st off the line right???? Also, for the extra 30K to make this we could massage the efficiency of this engine way up there to be cleaner for the environment than this EV price of work.
Your numbers are off.
2.7 is rated for 430 ft-lbs max, which is a lie in normal use, but fine. First gear is 4.56. Axle is 3.42. Multiply all 3 together and you have 6705 ft-lbs to the wheel.
And that’s for the fraction of a second when you travel through 3000 RPM, before you have to upshift out of first. An electric car can hold peak torque to at least 30-40 MPH.
You neglected torque converter ratio in your calculation.
What I would love to see is one of these suppliers create is a quality hybrid the manufacturers refuse to make.
Put an electric axel in the front end and let the diesel run the back. It would need a much smaller battery, be amazingly fuel efficient (I’m assuming, but it’s theoretical, but have no range issues for highway towing.
At least someone should try it.
I’d consider buying an HD hybrid.
Well, you make it sound like it’s no big deal. Develop one and then you can sell off the tech.
Obviously I’m just a guy in a comment section without the funding to accomplish this task.
My thoughts are that if they can convert one to run entirely EV, with en e-axle (which exists), and the computer software exists to make a hybrid work (which it does, hybrids aren’t new), it shouldn’t be a big deal.
Just wishful thinking I guess from someone that lives rural enough I’ll never have the charging infrastructure to support an ev.
They already have the pieces to be put together. As a matter of fact, Los Angeles County is running electric fire trucks, but they have a diesel to switch over to. As it was stated in the Six Million Dollar Man “We Have the Technology, We Can Rebuild Him”. Him in this case being the truck.
Looks similar to the Magna conversion.
Any news about the fuel cell/BEV medium duty truck GM has under development?
I’ll stick with my 6.6 gas thnx. Save the EV tech for the lib vehicles.
All the EV people seems to assume everyone lives in the city which isn’t the case. Maybe the EV developers can bounce one up and down 8 miles of dirt road and test their technology. I also wonder once you put all the batteries needed for any decent pulling range will you be able to install a gooseneck setup?