Daimler Truck North America delivers first electric Freightliner eM2 box trucks

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has announced that its electric Freightliner eM2, which went into series production at its Portland, Oregon, facility at the end of last year, is now being distributed to US customers.

PITT OHIO, a transportation and supply chain management company based in Pittsburgh, is the first to deploy the medium-duty EVs. The company’s two eM2s, with 26-foot-long box bodies, will operate out of its Cleveland terminal as part of its less-than-truckload freight business.

The Freightliner eM2 has typical ranges of 180 miles for Class 6 and 250 miles for Class 7. It is designed for pickup and delivery applications. DTNA’s electric lineup also includes the Jouley electric bus from Thomas Built Bus, available since 2020; the FCCC MT50e walk-in van chassis for final-mile delivery, available since 2021; and the Class 8 Freightliner eCascadia, available since 2022.

Source: Daimler

Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine

Tektronix unveils decode, trigger and search support for the CAN XL protocol

Tektronix, a provider of test and measurement solutions, has released new features for its CAN XL protocol decoder, enabling engineers to incorporate the latest generation of CAN communications.

The Tektronix CAN XL protocol decoder can decode signals representing data packets transmitted using CAN XL frames in a CAN network. It runs on today’s 4, 5 and 6 Series MSO oscilloscopes, and offers features such as error detection, analysis and debugging of timing and protocol headers.

CAN XL (Controller Area Network Extended Length) is the latest innovation in the CAN protocol family, developed by the CAN in Automation (CiA) consortium, of which Tektronix is a member. The new standard allows mixed message types—Ethernet tunneling and traditional signal-based CAN—at faster data rates of 20 Mb/s. These transmission types and rates facilitate the handling of increasing amounts of sensor data, enabling advanced driver assistance system features and paving the way for the software-defined vehicle.

The Tektronix CAN XL protocol decoder is now available as part of the SRAUTO option, or as a firmware update for instruments with an active license for the SRAUTO software package.

“The Tektronix CAN XL protocol decoder is a powerful tool that showcases the Tektronix commitment to innovation and meeting our customers’ needs in the automotive and industrial automation segments, and beyond,” says Subhasis Bera, Business Manager, Protocols and Software Platform at Tektronix.

Source: Tektronix

Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine

SK Siltron wins $544-million DOE loan to expand production of SiC wafers for EV power electronics

The DOE’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, which supports domestic manufacturing of fuel-efficient vehicles, components and materials, has given a conditional commitment to SK Siltron CSS for a $544-million loan to expand manufacturing of silicon carbide (SiC) wafers for EV power electronics at the company’s two Michigan manufacturing plants.

SiC semiconductors potentially enable higher efficiency and higher voltages compared with traditional silicon semiconductors, which can translate to faster charging times and longer range for EVs. Demand for SiC wafers is expected to rise with EV sales.

The expansion of SK’s Bay City plant is expected to create up to 200 construction jobs and 200 permanent skilled positions. Through the Michigan New Jobs Training Program, the company will train local workers for SiC wafer fabrication in partnership with Delta College, located less than a mile from the project site.

Source: US Department of Energy

Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine

GILLIG to supply Seattle transit agency with up to 395 battery-electric buses

Transit bus giant GILLIG has announced a new five-year contract with King County Metro, which serves the greater Seattle area. GILLIG will deliver an initial order of 89 GILLIG Low Floor Battery Electric buses, with the option to purchase up to 306 more units.

Built on GILLIG’s Low-Floor platform, the GILLIG Battery Electric Bus features 686 kWh of onboard energy storage. GILLIG says King County’s buses are “equipped with opportunity charging capabilities in addition to plug-in charging.” We were unable to verify what the company means by this, but we do know that, in the past, GILLIG has sold buses equipped with wireless charging systems from WAVE Charging.

The initial deployment of these buses will equip King County Metro’s first fully electrified bus base in Tukwila, Washington, currently under construction. “The buses operating out of this base will serve surrounding south King County communities, where air pollution levels are higher than in other parts of the region.”

“Acquiring these next-generation battery-electric buses from GILLIG moves us closer to our goal of being the first large transit agency in North America that is 100% zero-emission,” said Dow Constantine, King County Executive. “With these new additions to our fleet, our community members, customers, and operators will benefit from cleaner air as we continue to combat climate change.”

Source: GILLIG

Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine