SEA Electric to unveil next-gen power system
Looming US debut for new electric propulsion unit with optional hydrogen fuel cell range extenderSEA Electric is set to expand its range of electric power systems in the US, with the company poised to unveil its new SEA-Drive 250 at the upcoming Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, due to be held in Los Angeles over May 1 to 4.
The new system, which will be offered in the US alongside SEA Electric’s existing SEA-Drive 70, 100, 120 and 180 systems, is applicable to heavier duty cycles and vehicles with a gross vehicle mass or gross combination mass of up to 36,250kg. It’s ideally suited to applications such as waste collection, the company says.
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Fuel cell range extender
Uniquely, the new system will be offered with an optional 45kW hydrogen fuel cell range extender (RE) – an architecture that, according to SEA Electric, will have “far reaching implications in the sector”.
The SEA-Drive 250 produces maximum power of 670hp (500kW) and peak torque of 4579 lb-ft (6200Nm) and is powered by a 250kWh battery pack.
“The SEA-Drive 250 RE represents a major breakthrough for SEA Electric in our efforts to electrify the world’s commercial transport fleet,” said Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric Founder and CEO.
“The power system is perfectly suited to the rigors of lighter-duty refuse collection, with the platform already proven in other deployments in the space via pure-battery powered configurations.
“For SEA Electric, this new product combination offers us the opportunity to branch out into some fantastic new areas and applications.
“In regards to the refuse industry, the SEA-Drive 250 RE will allow us to provide a solution for 95 per cent of the market via any chassis combination.
Clean and quiet
Mr Fairweather said the optional range extender brings multiple benefits.
“The combination of battery electric with the optional fuel cell extender will optimise weight and cost, whilst delivering the full fleet duty-cycle requirements, with performance that has never been seen before in this segment.
“One of the competitive advantages of the SEA-Drive power-system is that all ancillary functions are completely electrified, with all hydraulics systems involved in the compacting and operation of the refuse body completely managed by the integrated systems.
“What this means is that noisy refuse trucks will be a thing of the past, which is sure to be welcomed by anyone living in an urban environment.”
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