Tesla Co-Founder builds electric garbage truck | Alternative Energy | Forums

good to see they are expanding into other modes of transportation

During the Waste EXPO 2016 event held between June 7 to 9, American truck manufacturer Mack Trucks partnered with Tesla Motors co-founder Ian Wright to introduce an electric garbage truck based on Mack’s LR model with an innovative twist.

Wright and Mack Trucks incorporated a powerful regenerative braking system, which allows the truck to recharge its battery while it operates.

Large trucks, especially garbage trucks, typically spend a significant amount of energy when it stops and restarts their engines. In fact, because of this immense level of energy consumption, the Japanese government established a set of regulations for bus drivers to turn off their engines when the bus is stuck at a traffic jam.

The truck’s regenerative braking system, or natural gas-based built-in turbine is also quieter than conventional truck engines, reducing noise pollution and enhancing overall efficiency.

Trucks.com further stated that Wright and Mack Trucks’ powertrain can “accommodate vehicles up to 66,000 pounds,” and added that the truck can be used commercially.

“We don’t make vehicles, we just make powertrains,” said Wright. “There’s a battery pack that you can charge from the grid, and there’s a range-extender generator which can burn fuel, make electricity and keep the battery pack charged so that you don’t run out of range,” he added.

more http://xtraqt.com/20.....s-braking/