Also in this brief: Tesla to build world’s largest utility-scale battery system for Australia in 100 days or it’s free
Swedish tech company Einride has unveiled the first full-scale prototype freight freight truck that is remotely controlled by drivers. The innovate vehicle, called the T-pod, is significantly smaller than today’s heavy trucks and the company hopes to soon have 200 units ready for a regional freight-hauling route.
Einride says the new “transport system” – the combination of the T-pod with a proprietary charging system – can reduce carbon dioxide emissions from freight transport in Sweden by up to 60 per cent by 2030.
“Our mission is to push the dial towards a sustainable future, starting with an impact positive transportation system,” CEO Robert Falck said in a press release.
“The world’s best tech and transport brains have been working on the T-pod structure for over a year and so it was overwhelming to see the positive response and support received from both customers and partners, when we finally unveiled it at Almedalen”.
Einride was founded with the aim of creating a sustainable transport system to help achieve Sweden’s environmental goals and has been planning the T-pod system for over a year.
The company claims that the Einride system also “improves road safety, creates new jobs and provides more cost-efficient transports for purchasers.”
The T-pod is about 23 feet long and has an operating weight of 20 tons, with a 200 kWh battery and a driving distance of 200 kms (about 124 miles).
It is controlled by an operator, which provides the advantage of human flexibility and decision-making, but it also has the ability to take advantage of a self-driving system.
Einride’s plan is to deliver a complete transport system between Gothenburg (Sweden’s second largest city, located in the western part of the country) and Helsingborg (215 kms north) by 2020.
To date, Einride has already filled 60% of the total 200 T-pods that will travel between Gothenburg and Helsingborg. T-pod’s first route will have a capacity of up to 2,000,000 pallets per year. This saves the equivalent Co2 emissions of 400,000 passenger cars travelling the same distance. The company is currently exploring the potential of expanding the route earlier than expected, due to overwhelming interest from potential and signed clients.
“We’re now at a crucial time for not only the Einride business, but for the future of transport. Through technology we have been able to create a system for the future, but it involves bravery and dedication from people the world over, to accept that change is also their responsibility and put the T-pod system into practice,” said Falck.
Tesla Powerpack to enable large-scale sustainable energy to South Australia
This week, through a competitive bidding process, Tesla was selected to provide a 100 MW/129 MWh Powerpack system to be paired with global renewable energy provider Neoen’s Hornsdale Wind Farm near Jamestown, South Australia.
Tesla was awarded the entire energy storage system component of the project.
Tesla Powerpack will be charged by the Hornsdale Wind Farm and then deliver electricity during peak hours to help maintain the reliable operation of South Australia’s electrical infrastructure.
Upon completion in Dec., this system will be the largest lithium-ion battery storage project in the world and will provide enough power for more than 30,000 homes.
Last September, a 50-year storm damaged critical infrastructure in South Australia, causing a state-wide blackout and leaving 1.7 million residents without electricity. Further blackouts occurred in the heat of the Australian summer in early 2017.
The South Australian Government called for expressions of interest to deploy grid-scale energy storage options with at least 100 megawatts (MW) of capacity.
In addition, Tesla’s Powerwall is now being installed for residential customers across Australia and ramping up quickly.