TECH INSIDER | XOS ET-ONE
Sharing
the load
US vehicle developer Xos Trucks is working with
commercial partners to optimize its own vehicles,
as well as furthering industry electrifi cation
WORDS: ALI PHILIPS
Los Angeles-based Xos Trucks (formerly Thor Trucks)
has garnered headlines for its all-electric, heavy-duty
ET-One vehicle, and its fully electric medium-duty
delivery truck. But the company, which describes
itself as a Transportation Lab, has greater aspirations than
merely developing a zero-emission commercial vehicle
portfolio and its ambitions aren’t limited to its own vehicles.
“Our ultimate goal is not vertical integration, but
to electrify commercial fleets by leveraging strategic
partnerships and staying focused on what we do best,”
explains co-founder and COO Giordano Sordoni. “This kind
of collaboration will enable parties at all points on the supply
chain to best maximize the potential of EVs to penetrate the
on- and off-highway markets in a meaningful way. Whether
it’s working with OEMs and suppliers to help create the ideal
batteries and bodies for each truck or working alongside
fleet operators to assure efficient use of resources, longterm
project, beginning with the ET-One, is to be the go-to
resource for the electric mobility industry.”
Speaking of the ET-One, Sordoni still expects the vehicle
to go into production during 2019. The electric semi will
feature powertrain options from 304-710ps (300-700bhp)
and ranges up to 483km (300 miles) depending on
application and duty cycle.
“Validation and testing continue on the vehicle and
subsystem level. There is a lot of carryover and modularity
built into our platforms, so much of the work being done to
take the medium-duty vehicle to production over the next
few months translates directly into the heavy-duty vehicle
development,” Sordoni says.
Many hands
The ET-One will also see Xos integrate technology from
AxleTech, and will benefit from a jointly developed e-axle
on the production vehicle. The collaboration is one of a
number that Thor has entered into with leading companies.
“We will integrate AxleTech’s e-axle technology with our
20 // July 2019 // www.electrichybridvehicletechnology.com
proprietary battery technology to create a fully electric
commercial vehicle powertrain,” explains Sordoni. “Xos
will benefit tremendously from AxleTech’s industry-leading
axle expertise as we work to meet the market’s increasing
demand for electrification.
“AxleTech’s extensive experience in planetary gears and
specialty axles gives them advantages in designing e-axles.
AxleTech is also world-class when it comes to testing and
validation, with specific experience in some of the most
demanding heavy-duty applications, such as on-highway,
severe service, off-highway and military.”
Opting for an e-axle system eliminates the need for
a centrally mounted motor between the frame rails by
integrating the e-motors within the axles. This frees up space
between the rails for other electronics or additional batteries;
reduces weight by removing the need for extra mounting
hardware, a driveline, and a heavier motor; and makes it
possible to improve efficiency. All of these advantages make
it possible to increase the vehicle range.
The company has also collaborated with Wiggins Lift to
power the Yard eBull (a fully electric heavy-duty forklift),
providing an electric powertrain, electrification integration
expertise to reduce R&D time, and supplying software.
The Wiggins partnership is indicative of Xos’ collaborative
approach to increasing electrification – and emphasizes the
company’s philosophy of sharing expertise.
“The partnerships with AxleTech and Wiggins
demonstrate the diverse applications of our battery
technology,” Sordoni explains. “As we continue to establish
partnerships within the industry, we learn more about our
own technology.
“Partnerships are also the foundation of electric mobility.
If we want to build viable electric solutions that offer just
as much value in the short term as they do 10 years down
the road, it’s crucial to team up and share expertise. Putting
Xos powertrains on various applications allows for quicker
learning and more validation on our systems.”
Xos ET-One will have
a maximum range of
482km (300 miles) and
features an e-axle system
/www.electrichybridvehicletechnology.com