Responding to a changing marketplace on the one hand and to customer demands on the other, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) has developed an all-electric plug-in walk-in van (WIV, aka “stepvan”) chassis and will also release a gasoline-fueled chassis for the first time.
The all-electric chassis was developed in partnership with Enova Systems , a developer and producer of electric and hybrid-electric drive system technologies for commercial vehicle OEMs, and is built on FCCC’s MT-45 WIV platform, Jonathan Randall, FCCC sales & marketing director, said at a news conference held at the FCCC booth on the floor of The Work Truck Show held in St. Louis last week by the National Truck Equipment Assn.
“In partnership with Enova we have developed an all-electric chassis to meet the environmental, economic and performance needs of our commercial vehicle customers,” said FCCC president Bob Harbin in a prepared statement. “Our vision is clearly focused on transitioning the all-electric chassis into the mainstream of our walk-in van production programs.
“Unlike competitive models, our all-electric chassis is custom-built from the ground up for the walk-in van market, integrating the proven ergonomic advantages of WIV bodies,” Harbin added. “Competitor chassis are a cab chassis configuration and end up as box trucks typically built for the trucking industry. Competitor products do not offer the ergonomic benefits and safety features of a WIV such as curb-side exit, walk-through cargo area, direct access to cargo area from driver’s station, etc.”
“Collaborating with FCCC has enabled us to achieve our shared goal of introducing all-electric drive technology into the walk-in van market,” said Mike Staran, president & CEO of Enova Systems, at the conference.
Randall pointed out that “FCCC initiated our all-electric project well before stimulus money and federal grants were available for alternative-power transportation projects. FCCC viewed the all-electric project as the logical next step in its alternative-power product offerings, as well as a strategic opportunity to continue its leadership role in the WIV industry.”
According to Randall, on “select delivery and service routes, studies show that customers will save up to $15,000 per vehicle annually compared with traditionally powered walk-in vans.” He said the all-electric’s quiet operation will improve driver comfort and said a flat-leaf spring front and rear suspension will allow for “a smooth, solid ride that minimizes cargo shifts on uneven road surfaces.”
The development program involved integrating Enova’s 120kW all-electric drive system technology into the MT-45 chassis. Aimed at the P&D operator, the MT-45 boasts a GVWR of 14,000 to 19,500 lbs.
“Collaborating with FCCC has enabled us to achieve our shared goal of introducing all-electric drive technology into the walk-in van market,” said Mike Staran, president & CEO of Enova Systems at the conference.
