In the realm of developing Battery Electric Trucks (BETs), two design approaches find application. The "Retrofit Design" entails the integration of electric propulsion components into pre-existing, conventionally established trucks. Conversely, the "Purpose Design" charts a course for the complete reengineering of the truck.
The strategy behind the "Retrofit Design" is to metamorphose an existing product variant with minimal alterations into another variant. This method is deployed in the conversion of vehicles with internal combustion engines to those powered by electric propulsion. All components of the electric drive train find integration into an existing vehicle chassis. An existing concept serves as the foundation for an electrically propelled vehicle.
The objective of this approach is swift market penetration, coupled with the advantage of diminished development and investment costs.
The existing chassis remains unoptimized for an electric propulsion system, leaving untapped potential for optimization. Battery placement is often inefficient, affecting the energy storage system's design. Increased vehicle weight from the added electric components leads to reduced payload capacity.
However, the significant advantages of the "Retrofit Design" lie in its swift market introduction, low development costs, and enhanced integration into existing production facilities for conventionally powered vehicles.
The "Purpose Design" involves the creation of a new vehicle around the electric drive train. This approach allows for a high degree of innovation, enabling technological leaps for BETs and instigating the so-called disruption of existing technologies.
Greater design flexibility leads to optimised energy consumption, range, and payload capacity. More efficient lightweight construction. Innovations in vehicle concept and packaging lead to improved vehicle dynamics and safety. This approach allows for high degrees of automation in production, reducing reliance on labor-intensive tasks.
The "Purpose Design" demands a more substantial upfront investment, but it promises significant long-term dividends in terms of performance, innovation, and adaptability.
In embracing the "Purpose Design" for BETs, we embark on a paradigm that transcends mere evolution, aiming for revolutionary strides in the realm of electromobility. The superiority of the "Purpose Design" over the "Retrofit Approach" is not a mere nuance; it is a seismic shift that resonates across various dimensions. This approach heralds a new era of technological leaps, enabling BETs to transcend boundaries and disrupt established norms.
