Interesting link

[Rob Mayercik]

Clever EV hack could reinvent diesel trucking

Long-haul trucks are now being upgraded with a surprising twist, thanks to California-based startup Revoy. Their electric boost doesn't replace diesel but works alongside it to cut emissions and fuel costs without major disruption.

www.foxnews.com

Interesting concept, thought it was worth sharing...

 

[J_dude]

Interesting indeed.
“Drivers don’t need to learn anything new”? Lol that thing is going to be nigh on impossible to back up to loading docks… and a large number of drivers these days have trouble with that as it is.
How about icy roads? That thing will get all kinds of squirrelly with that extra drive axle pushing from behind the added pivot point.
Also, what about axles and weight distribution? The trailer weight is now sitting on one set of drives instead of two, so it’s overweight on that axle. That can’t work.

The real solution to this problem is diesel-electric trucks like Edison Motors is making. Small diesel generator, and big batteries.

 

[Rob Mayercik]

They do mention the dolly having a "smart kingpin", but doesn't elaborate on what that actually means. Maybe the dolly-tractor pivot can be locked for stuff like backing up? (I do wonder how negotiating turns works too).

I agree that Edison Motors is probably onto the better solution long-term, but this might turn out to be a decent intermediate step in the meantime...