EDI’s PHEV Port Truck built for Shaanxi Automotive and the Port of Shanghai. Click to enlarge.

Shaanxi is forecasting acquiring up to 200 PHEV Port trucks over the course of 2016.

EDI’s PHEV port trucks will be used to replace conventional fuel vehicles of the same specifications with significant fuel saving and emissions reduction while still maintaining the same power and performance.

In 2014, EDI reported that it was working in partnership with Shaanxi Automotive to develop PHEV powertrains for its large fleet of city buses. The solution included EDI’s proprietary dual motor, dual clutch drivetrain, drivetrain and motor controllers, clutch controllers, and battery packs. EDI and Shaanxi Auto collaborated closely on PHEV bus project; Shaanxi built the sample bus and installed the powertrain provided by EDI, and EDI integrated and calibrated the control software into the vehicle.

Preliminary fuel consumption was 28 cubic meters of natural gas for every 100 km, compared to 50 cubic meters for every 100km for a conventional natural gas bus—a fuel reduction close to 44%.

The government of China is currently aggressively asserting mandates and regulations to improve air quality and reduce emissions, putting increasing pressure on city officials. Shanghai in particular is working toward the country’s emissions reduction goals, emulating best practices of the State of California to drive toward better air quality.

A major area of concern is the port—the world’s busiest container port—at which heavy-duty trucks are used to move shipping containers and transfer large crates during shifts that run the fuel engine as long as 20 to 22 hours a day without stopping. The idling vehicles produce noise, fumes and heavy levels of emissions, all of which are eliminated with the use of EDI’s PHEV trucks specifically designed for port conditions.