Kenworth News
DOE Electrified Powertrain Project To Feature Kenworth T680 Next Gen Battery Electric Vehicle
Megawatt-Level Wireless Charging To More Easily Extend Electric Vehicle Range
Kenworth is participating in an advanced research demonstration project that will add wireless fast charging to Class 8 battery electric vehicles. Wireless charging at a 1-megawatt rate will enable battery electric vehicles in regional haul routes to fully charge the batteries in 30 minutes or less. This program is funded through an $8 million cost-share project funded by the Vehicle Technologies Office of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The project includes Kenworth, WAVE (Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification) and Utah State University.
Kenworth will provide a T680 Next Generation battery electric vehicle with a traction motor rated at 420 kW and 560 hp, battery capacity of 660 kWh, and target range of at least 170 miles before requiring a recharge. The T680 Next Gen will operate in a two-shift operation to and from Seattle and Portland (Oregon) with regional deliveries en route combined with local in-city deliveries to exceed 400 miles daily.
“This project offers an excellent opportunity to team with the participants to foster important advancements that extend Class 8 battery electric vehicle range and reduce recharge times,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president.
WAVE’s high-power wireless chargers have been used in mass transit applications since 2017. The company is working with power electronics researchers at Utah State University to design a 1-megawatt, wireless inductive charging solution for a designated facility in both Seattle and Portland. Seattle City Light and Portland General Electric will be involved in the respective site installation in their cities. The project expects to complete the installations in 2022.
“At the megawatt power levels required by Class 8 EVs, there are significant advantages to eliminating mechanical movement and human contact associated with current charging technologies," said WAVE CEO Michael Masquelier. "The work we are doing with Kenworth and Utah State University will help enable fleet operators to extend the range of heavy-duty EVs, making the industry's zero emission goals more attainable.”
Kenworth is The Driver’s Truck™. See what drivers are saying at www.kenworth.com/drivers.
Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth's Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.
“This project offers an excellent opportunity to team with the participants to foster important advancements that extend Class 8 battery electric vehicle range and reduce recharge times,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president.
WAVE’s high-power wireless chargers have been used in mass transit applications since 2017. The company is working with power electronics researchers at Utah State University to design a 1-megawatt, wireless inductive charging solution for a designated facility in both Seattle and Portland. Seattle City Light and Portland General Electric will be involved in the respective site installation in their cities. The project expects to complete the installations in 2022.
“At the megawatt power levels required by Class 8 EVs, there are significant advantages to eliminating mechanical movement and human contact associated with current charging technologies," said WAVE CEO Michael Masquelier. "The work we are doing with Kenworth and Utah State University will help enable fleet operators to extend the range of heavy-duty EVs, making the industry's zero emission goals more attainable.”
About EERE/VTO
The Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy EERE’s mission is to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies and solutions to equitably transition America to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050, and ensure the clean energy economy benefits all Americans, creating good paying jobs for the American people—especially workers and communities impacted by the energy transition and those historically underserved by the energy system and overburdened by pollution. EERE’s Vehicle Technologies Office plays a leading role to decarbonize the transportation sector and address the climate crisis by driving innovation within and deployment of clean transportation technologies. To learn more about the Department's work with industry, academia, and other partners on advanced vehicle technologies, please visit the Vehicle Technologies Office website (www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/vehicle-technologies-office).About WAVE
With a global-leading number of high-power, rigorously proven inductive charging systems deployed, WAVE is enabling commercial fleet operators to extend the range of medium and heavy duty electric vehicles. Founded in 2011, with systems ranging from 125kW to 500kW, WAVE makes tomorrow's EV charging technology available today. Learn more at www.waveipt.com.About Kenworth
The current comprehensive Kenworth zero emissions EV program features the Class 8 Kenworth T680E and medium duty Kenworth K270E and K370E battery-electric vehicles, which are all available for order. The vehicles are designed for local pickup and delivery, drayage, and short regional haul applications.
Kenworth is The Driver’s Truck™. See what drivers are saying at www.kenworth.com/drivers.
Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth's Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.