Mack Trucks has created a range calculator for electric vehicles to help customers simulate real-world collection routes. Mack says this information enables customers to plan and build routes for the Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle based on many route-specific variables.
According to Mack, the calculator takes into account the battery capacity, refuse body application type, ambient temperature, terrain and the amount of stops on a specific route. This enables customers to estimate and plan for the energy that will be consumed on the route.
“The range calculator for electric vehicles is a useful tool for customers and potential customers so when they’re making the decision about whether to purchase an electric vehicle, they can easily plan collection routes that will be best suited for the vehicle,” says Scott Barraclough, Mack Trucks senior product manager of e-mobility. “The tool is easy to use and can predict when the vehicle should need to be charged, if necessary, so that the proper planning can be made.”
Using GPS data collected from the customer’s current routes, Mack says it is able to use the data to produce a detailed report predicting the number of starts and stops the Mack LR Electric can fulfill on the specific route. The calculator takes into account increasing payload, regenerative braking, and the time spent at each stop.
Mack says customers interested in the range calculator for electric vehicles can speak with their local Mack dealer.
The next generation LR Electric, is equipped with four NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) lithium-ion batteries that are charged by a 150kW SAEJ1772-compliant charging system. Along with vehicle propulsion, the four batteries also provide all power for every onboard accessory, driven through 12V, 24V and 600V circuits. The two-stage regenerative braking system helps recapture energy from the hundreds of stops the vehicle makes each day with an increasing load, Mack says.
