By Greentech Lead America: Balqon, a developer
of electric drive system technologies for trucks, tractors and buses, has
launched new on-road Class 8 electric tractor, Model MX30, for short haul
drayage and inner city applications.
Balqon will showcase MX30 at the EVS26 Expo, the largest
electric vehicle show in the world in Los Angeles
“The EVS26 event, where new technologies promoting
electric transportation are on display, offers what we believe to be an
excellent opportunity to exhibit our industry-leading lithium
battery powered 30 ton capacity Class 8 tractor to an international
audience,“ said Balwinder Samra, chief executive officer of Balqon.
The company said that this heavy-duty electric tractor is
an ideal solution for use at locations such as ports, airports and urban
centers where both smog and congestion contribute to health risks to local
communities.
“The MX30, a heavy-duty electric tractor, is ideal for
short-haul container drayage applications at these locations. For example, we
believe that the MX30 is an ideal solution for use at ports where air pollution
is severe and distances travelled between marine terminals and local rail yards
are less than five miles per trip,” Samra added.
The MX30 is equipped with Balqon’s proprietary drive system that
is connected to a six speed automatic transmission assembled on a Freightliner
truck chassis. The standard 600 Volt lithium battery enables the MX30 to travel
up to 150 miles under unloaded conditions on a single charge. The MX30 will be
fully charged in less than three hours, thereby increasing the daily range of
the vehicle when properly charged.
The MX30 runs at speeds up to 70 mph, with loads of over
30 tons. MX30 incorporates Balqon drive system with the latest idle-shut off
technologies that increase energy conservation during vehicle idling. The new
vehicle incorporates Balqon’s proprietary battery management system and
charging systems.
Recently, Balqon received $630,000 grant funds
from Los Angeles Harbor commission to upgrade six of its electric yard tractors
from lead-acid batteries to lithium-ion based batteries.