Canada Just Turned A Giant Diesel Truck Into A Silent, Electric Ice Explorer

A diesel ice explorer was converted into an all-electric vehicle for exploring the Columbia Icefield. The refurbished truck keeps the original passenger cabin but replaces the chassis and driveline with new components. The new chassis is about 30% lighter and includes air suspension for smoother travel over rocky and icy terrain. A 528 kWh battery powers the vehicle and supports roughly 30 to 35 trips up and down the mountain. The battery includes thermal management for harsh conditions. Regenerative braking reduces wear on physical brakes and returns energy to the battery during descents. Twelve roof-mounted solar panels can recharge the battery when conditions allow.

"Canada's Pursuit has converted one of its old diesel ice explorers to electric. The refurbished EV is powered by a huge, 528 kWh battery, which is big enough for about 30 trips up and down the Columbia Icefield. The old cabin was kept, but the chassis and the driveline are completely new."

"Noble Northern took one of Pursuit's old diesel Ice Explorers and ditched everything, except the top cab. A new chassis, that's 30% lighter than before, was fitted under the 52-passenger body, along with an air suspension setup that allows for a smooth ride over the rocky and icy terrain."

"A massive, 528-kilowatt-hour battery was bolted onto the frame, which allows for around 30 to 35 trips up and down the mountain, according to Tye Noble, Noble Northern's president. The battery has an integrated thermal management system to ensure optimal performance in the harshest conditions, and there's regenerative braking, which reduces strain on the physical brakes and sends back power to the battery during descents."

"To top it all off, 12 roof-mounted solar panels can send electricity to the massive battery when it's sunny outside. We rebuilt this vehicle from the chassis up to be as light and efficient as possible while meeting the demands of glacial terrain, said Tye Noble, President of Noble Northern, whose team led the engineering and construction of the vehicle."

Read at insideevs.com