Edison Motors is a Canadian electric truck manufacturing startup based in British Columbia, specializing in diesel-electric plug-in hybrid technology for semi-truck prime-mover tractor units, full-size solid axle drive trucks, and heavy solid-axle pickups; combining a generator with electric drive motors and batteries. Founded in October of 2021 by Eric Little and Chace Barber and is a spin-off of SEI Logistics, a solar energy innovations company.[1]
The company makes new-built semi-truck prime mover tractor units using diesel generators with batteries and electric motors based on diesel-electric drive technology. It also does custom conversions. The company was founded on the idea to use train locomotive diesel-electric technology on forestry logging trucks, where climbing mountains empty and coming down fully loaded would make a net-zero energy use, with downhill regen recharging the battery power used to climb, and electric torque would obviate needing a giant diesel engine, diesel generators and large truck diesel tanks would make range a non-issue.[2]
 | |
| Company type | Limited |
|---|---|
| Industry | Truck manufacturing |
| Founded | 2021 |
| Founders | Chace Barber Eric Little |
| Headquarters | Merritt, British Columbia, Canada |
Number of employees | 13 |
| Website | edisonmotors |
Prototypes
editCarl
editA 1962 Kenworth LW 924 needle-nose truck unit. Converted to diesel-electric using a 3306 Caterpillar diesel generator, becoming the prototype blue truck called Carl. This became the first semi-truck in the world to run on a diesel-electric powertrain, similar to that found on locomotive train engines. Finished in September 2022, it is the initial proof-of-concept engineering prototype.
Topsy
editA custom-built, from the frame-on-up concept production working prototype, Topsy, named after the elephant. Demonstrates the anticipated truck design, with prototype production drive train, and all up off-the-shelf components, with prototype frame rails. Finished September 2023.[3]
Pickup kit
editThere are three pickup truck conversion prototypes currently in development; an International, Dodge and Ford.[4]
Edison has partnered with Deboss Garage out of Canfield, ON, to convert a stock second generation 2 wheel drive 1995 Dodge Ram 2500 to a 4-wheel drive with an Edison diesel-electric drivetrain.[5] Edison has partnered with Keabray Holdings Ltd. out of Drayton Valley, AB to convert a 2007 Ford F450 service truck, while Edison itself is converting a 1945 International K5.
Production
editProduction began in 2024 with orders from clients for an oil fields winch tractor truck and a highway snow plow. The plow is projected to provide a 30% fuel efficiency and have a CO2 reduction of 20 tons.[6]
References
edit- ^ Schaefer, Chelsey. "Edison Motors retrofits engines for the future". Valley City Times. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ McIntyre, Gordon (2022-10-07). "Merritt firm producing diesel-electric hybrid trucks for logging industry". Vancouver Sun.
- ^ Van Evra, Jennifer (2024-10-18). "Business Climate: Merritt-based Edison Motors is powering a push toward cleaner semi trucks". BC Business.
- ^ Edison Motors RetroFit Pickup Trucks: International, Dodge & Ford F450. YouTube. 2024-02-22.
- ^ Jacobs, Caleb (2024-01-05). "This Company Plans To Make Diesel-Electric Conversion Kits for Old Pickups". The Drive.
- ^ "Worlds First Diesel Electric SnowPlow". YouTube. 26 October 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
External links
edit- Official website: https://www.edisonmotors.ca/
- Edison Motors's channel on YouTube