Hydro-Québec subsidiary receives order for 500 powertrains from Ohio EV firm
by Cleantech Canada Staff
Workhorse Group Inc. is ordering another 500 of TM4 Inc.'s electric powertrains to power its EV delivery trucks
BOUCHERVILLE, Que.—Electric vehicle components manufacturer TM4 Inc., a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec, announced August 22 that it has received a new purchase order from EV manufacturer Workhorse Group Inc. for more than 500 of its Sumo powertrain systems.
This follows an order from Ohio-based Workhorse (formerly AMP Electric Vehicles) made last year for 150 of TM4’s powertrains, to power its E-GEN and E-100 electric delivery trucks.
The dollar value of the new order was not revealed.
Workhorse says its E-100 all-electric truck achieves 37.5 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPGe) fuel efficiency, with an average range of 100 miles on a single charge depending on duty cycle.
The E-GEN extended range step van achieves 30 MPGe fuel efficiency, with an average range of 60 miles all-electric plus an additional 60 miles using the integrated BMW range extender (a gasoline engine that acts exclusively as an electricity generator). The company says this vehicle reduces emissions by 75 per cent.
Both the E-100 and the E-Gen use Panasonic Li-Ion battery packs and Workhorse’s delivery vehicle tracking software.
“Last mile delivery vehicles are perfect candidates for electrification. The unique E-GEN and E-100 vehicles developed by Workhorse save fleet operators an estimated $150,000 in total cost of ownership per vehicle over a lifetime of use, in addition to significant emissions reductions,” said Robert Baril, managing director of TM4.
TM4 of Boucherville, Que., says its Sumo systems—part of its lineup of electric vehicle propulsion technologies—are optimized for medium-and heavy-duty electric and hybrid vehicles such as 6-18 meter buses, delivery trucks, shuttles and tow tractors.
These systems, which consist of an electric motor and an inverter, are high-torque and low-speed and allow for direct-drive operation—meaning they provide power to the differentials of large vehicles without the need for a gearbox.
TM4 says direct-drive operation reduces the Sumo system’s complexity and cost, and yields a 10 per cent efficiency improvement throughout the driving cycle.
“TM4’s Sumo powertrain systems have demonstrated excellent performance, efficiency and reliability in our vehicles on the road,” said Steve Burns, CEO of Workhorse. “Our partnership with TM4, a world-class Tier 1 supplier, along with Panasonic and BMW, enables us to produce a reliable, cost-effective solution for fleets at scale.”
In addition to supplying delivery service firms with green vehicles for their fleets, Workhorse also produces a hybrid helicopter and pickup truck, as well an autonomous drone that fully integrates into its electric delivery vehicles. UPS, one of its primary customers, successfully tested the company’s self-driving drone in February.
