Saying cars haven’t evolved from the gears. … Ya know we haven’t invented a new simple machine in over 200 years. All based on thousands of years ago technology
Chace did wise by taking you aboard. Any video they post, there are keyboard warriors yapping that its too complicated and that EVs never have enough range. Their main challenge is to communicate to the general audience what they are doing and why this is different, and better.
Oh by the way, when you get the E axles, will you convert the ISF2.8 onroad engine at 161hp at 3600rpm back to an industrial rating of 74hp at 2500rpm ? I still think a constant speed, generator engine gives you more benefits, the ISF2.8 still comes with all the emission stuff for a variable speed onroad application...
Locomotives are basically giant generators with incredible efficiency, it’s about time someone came out for this idea with a pickup. Finally some electric I can get behind!!
Trains are efficient because they have very little rolling resistance, not because of their series hybrid arrangement. Series hybrids are less efficient than parallel hybrids, which is why a Toyota Prius has no problem getting 60+ mpg in the real world and why the Chevy Volt could only get 42 mpg when not being charged by an external power source. My non-hybrid Civic even does better than the Volt on the highway.
Diesel-electric trains don't have batteries. Instead they use the electric generator coupled with their drive motors as a transmission. AKA "electric transmission". It's ingenious and works well on ultra-heavy vehicles like those giant dump trucks with 10 foot tall tires. Hypothetically if train car manufacturers got together and built a standard they could take one or two locomotives and use them to power drive axles on every attached car. Of course that would make the cars themselves more expensive and have higher maintenance costs and be more complicated... The added power wouldn't be worth the cost especially since existing arrangements can already move an entire city with a couple locomotives... but it could be worth it for custom-made passenger trains to get smooth acceleration and higher top speeds.
@@ivanf4023 High speed electric passenger trains (like the Shinkansen and TGV) already power each axle with a motor. They don't need diesel engines, though, because they're not stuck in the stone age.
Would agree that this is similar to locomotive. Heard Mazda was looking to use their rotary engine as a generator on similar - but as mentioned - run the engine as the ideal RPM to charge is best.
Edison motors used the idea of diesel electric locomotives, and developed this idea for road vehicles. I actually think this is the future of electric heavy trucking.
I've been wanting to explore it with a jet engine for motorcycles. Even 10-20kW continuous is enough for cruising. Add that with a smaller battery reserve + supercaps and you have something with lot of performance and zero emissions at low speed.
I've said for years that this is the way to get electric into a diesel truck. I'm no mechanic or engineer so i have not idea how hard it is to do but always thought it could be done.
Exactly using a internal combustion engine to generate electricity lets you eliminate variable load lets you reduce the complexity and size of the ic engine to make efficency
I like diesels, lithium LFP batteries, oddball vehicles and such. I am a retired power generation engineer so these kinds of things interest me. I was hospitalized in January 2013. The older guy roommate had a daughter who worked at Tesla Fremont. She spent hours in our hospital room daily. I heard some engineering problems and solutions about Tesla EV's from her. I suggested building a small diesel electric ultra efficient on board charging system to add flexibility to the vehicle. Maximize all parameters on the engine to maintain the best most efficiency possible, cleanest exhaust, etc. Such a unit could recharge batteries in a parking lot while the vehicle was unattended. Capture its waste heat and use it to warm the car interior and the batteries for ultra low temperature operation. She flipped the hell out and said it was a stupid idea. Now you and Edison are doing it.
@@randomidiot8142 And that was 11 years ago. The EV fanbois never see the whole picture. They are too busy saving the planet. For a few years now, I have been calling EV's RCV's......Remote Combustion Vehicles. Fossil fuels are burned to charge batteries. Wind and solar are supposed to be 27% overall input into our local grid. Today, it's actually 1.2% contribution to the grid because of the West Coast storm.
Instead use Nicola Tesla's Earth Capacitance Theory to pump out the electricity Planet Earth generates while spinning on its axis to recharge the system and have much fewer moving parts. There are ways to get this done that don't involve continuing to inflict COPD and other respiratory illnesses on our elderly, children and future generations. Westinghouse was all for this but Andrew Carnegie and the Oil Barron's were not and even Westinghouse couldn't protect Tesla from their influence setting the whole world back over 100 years and causing many of the high cost health problems we endure today. It would be nice if more were pursuing this technology but that would not garner much support from the energy conglomerates since they like Carnegie would see this as an end to their way of life. Imagine everybody on the planet having direct access to free electricity already being generated by the planet instead of having to pay dearly to get it from power corporations. It was amazing that they didn't assassinate Tesla and allowed Westinghouse to take care of his room and board as Tesla's health declined. I really like my mechanical Kiki Pump diesel until I get to a fuel station however it does not have the convenience and economy of the EV which charges at home for pennies using the free courtesy charger that came with it and plugs into a standard 15 amp 120 volt outlet and while I'm sleepy always get fully charged before I wake up the next morning using about 30 to 90 cents of electricity. Truth be told the vast majority of people in North America drive less than 30 miles per day with most when they have to drive over 100 miles taking a bus or train and beyond 250 to 500 miles they are boarding a flight at an airport making it so its only a very, very small minority that actually need a vehicle that has over 100 or so miles of range for their daily lives. I'm now finding that I really only need to start up my diesel so infrequently that I only need to fill up the tank once a year to top it off and add fuel conditioner while the same cheap used EV I've been driving for a decade has provided the rest without having to spend a penny on it for repairs aside from one set of tires, a few pairs of wiper blades, washer fluid, some cabin air filters and some brake flushes which are just maintenance items. No special stops for fuel so I can go straight home and plug into the outlet under the front overhang to charge it up every few days or so without having to install any special equipment. The hybrid though many may clamor for it and insist they absolutely need it is really only actually needed by a very relatively few people who live in remote areas and travel far outside those communities every day. Many who do actually live in remote areas still work in a local diner, fuel station, garage, etc within 30 miles round trip of their homes and really only travel outside that a handful of times a year. I understand that many are rabid about needing much more however when you look into their actual life situation its just for the most part based on unfounded anxiety and hype but not one a real demonstrable need except for in a relatively few cases compared to the 300 million plus people in North America. I know since I was one who was under the impression that I needed much, much more but after 10 years living with a moderate range EV I found I was wrong and was just listening to Oil Company Mantra and a Very Highly Vocal Minority. Best!
Back in the early 1980's, as a college engineering experiment, I put a 24kw propane genset for residential use and forklift motor and batteries into a crew cab, long bed, Ford dually diesel pickup truck. I also installed the battery charger for the forklift batteries, 240 volt required, to allow charging when parked. This was using all scrap yard components, except for the truck that I had purchased from a neighbor for $900 with a destroyed engine. It took the better part of a year to complete, but it worked as planned. It was capable of highway speeds, same load capacity as original, and got the equivalent of 35mpg, up from stock 10mpg on fuel that was half the price of diesel (or less). It burned cleaner, was quieter, and had no problems with cold weather conditions. The fuel was good for YEARS, basically forever, and there was no need for fuel additives to prevent gelling. I did put a thermostat controlled heat blanket around the propane tank for pressure needs if it was cold enough to require it. As it was in Texas, I never had to use the tank heater. I sold the rig to a rancher in south central Texas as I needed the money, and he had it! As of 1993, the last time I heard from him, it was still going strong. With modern batteries, motor, electronics, etc., it should be even better and more capable. I'm too old and am now too disabled to do it again. I would like to see someone do a similar build as this type of hybrid is quieter, cleaner, and more economical than any other fueled hybrid I'm aware of. Retired Industrial Design Engineer and "hobbyist" fabricator.
Did your generator engine turn off when batteries were charged and turn back on to charge the batteries? Or did it run constantly and just idle down when the batteries were charged? I just so happen to have bought a 1985 F350 dually crew cab long bed that had the 6.9l diesel.
@@michaelblackwellii7265 It didn't then as the electronics for a smart switch autostart weren't available to me. They are commonly available today. It would be satisfying to see this idea carried forward. Good luck and best wishes.
Need a kit for vans. Older E-series vans, express vans, even the transits and sprinters. 2wd and 4wd versions would be sweet. Lots of service guys in vans would love having all the power they need with a built in generator as well.
Tesla was beyond batteries. Why can’t there be a Electo Mag kit that uses current and runs through the Locking Torque Converter … I admit I don’t know how one works, but seems to me placing magnets around the bell or adding a spacer that contains the coils mag and transformer kit.. idk I’m just spitballing here. Trying to think outside the box (T) Edison put us in. That Elephant killer is the one that wants you to tow 1,000 pounds of batteries around. Not Tesla. Tesla wanted us to use the earths magnetic field. Edison wanted you on DC so he could METER (Monitor) it. Even if you had a doughnut of coils behind the converter and magnets were placed around the bellhousing .. maybe not to initiate 100% drive, but even if you could push 10/20/30 % behind an already working, already there, gas engine, that would add efficiency one might lose otherwise carrying around 1,000 pounds of batteries? I guess I need to look up currs? Or kurs?? I might be describing that and don’t know it. Anyway, either way, eff Thomas Edison
The best “kit” so far would be a 3.3 Deere or 3.9 4bt or Isuzu 4btd. america (spelled right) is obsessed with power and 0-60 times. None of the Diesels available are needed. They are WANTED. We could be riding around on a Compound little 3.?? Cat Diesel but… government. Cat quit because of them and so did the oxy cotton guy. Fed up with being treated like a woman, it’s never enough and you can never do the right thing.. gimme money gimme money and gimme money. We don’t have free energy for a REASON. CAPITALISM. You will NEVER GET AN ROI ON FREE ENERGY SO NO ONE WILL FUND THE R&D. This has been going on for decades. For forever. This is nothing new. Btw if all gas engines could run H2O tomorrow we’d all be in a rainforest. It’s the compression they’re looking for. Fill up the space. Gas is HORRIBLE at being efficient. A driveshaft is THE WORST because drive can never “over drive” the physical bond the shaft has. Turn it sideways and imagine the engine turning drive gears on the road. A gas engine is HORRIBLE for us, but the best for our economy that keeps poor people poor and the rich rich.
Yeah those 460 Fords are hungry. One problem with the 3rd gen e series is they just are not aerodynamic. Built when 55 was the law, they use a lot of fuel at 75mph no matter what engine they have
People who truly understand vehicles can see this technology as workable. 100% electrical is a no go for those that need reliability. Hybrid dual is the future.
I'm so glad you're working with Edison to try and bring this retrofit kit to reality. I'm not the target market for a ≥ 3/4ton truck but if Edison ever considers making a smaller retrofit kit fit for something like a 1500/Ranger-sized truck, I'll be one of the first to sign up. I fall into that terrible "I don't need a truck 90% of the time but just enough every now and then to justify owning one" demographic and have been dying for some sort of innovation in this area that doesn't cost $100k.
I'll see your Ranger and raise you an Express van/camper. My other car is a Volt, so I know what I want. And if it makes a 4wd conversion possible, well, that's just more incentive to buy.
THIS IS AWESOME!! I've been calling for exactly this since '84-85! Finally, SOMEBODY with the expertise and the forward-vision needed is making it happen!!! This is the best news I've heard in a long time. I've got an old F600 that looks just like Mater in the movie "Cars" to restore, and I'd love to retrofit it with a kit like this. I do want it to be able to handle occasional heavy loads (like carrying boulders or concrete rubble) up to around 10K lbs., while pulling a trailer with a Bobcat. But looking at the rear end in his kit, it looks like it'd handle it. Of course I'd be driving gently on good roads if I'm overloaded like that, and not for very far.
I swapped a Cummins R2.8 and 4L65E into a 1984 GMC C1500 and also a 6BT 12 Valve and Allison 5 SPD into a 1984 GMC C3500 Service body truck. Your channel encouraged me to do it.
How's that 2.8 Cummins crate engine? It's a straight 4 banger right? Is it strong? Turboed or NA? What about emissions? Is it all choked down with DPF, SCR, EGR, & all that bs? I've only heard a lil bit about it a while ago. 👍🏻👌🏻🛠️🔩🔧🤔😃🍻
Engine is 4 cylinder turbo charged with EGR and DPF filter. It is a great engine for a daily driver for a half ton pickup. It tows my Kubota BX23 on a trailer just fine and gets 17 MPG while pulling.@@tdotw77
The one ton pickup with 6BT 12 valve is loaded with HVAC tools and gets 19 MPG. The half ton is a recent build, pulled out the 6.2 Detroit Diesel and replaced with R2.8. I needed the truck to move From Tacoma Washington to Nashville Tennessee pulling a trailer, so I only know it gets 17 MPG pulling a trailer. Without a load it seems to be around 25 MPG but that has been all local driving, haven't tried a long drive on freeway enough to know for sure@@devil2jz500
This is the kind of person that we need to lead the way forward in our automotive and trucking future! Common sense and the knowledge, skills, and background to back up what they say! Awesome!
In the late 70’s and the 80’s I managed an irrigated farm in Texas. We used Isuzu 6 cylinder non turbo engines to power our water pumps and generators to power the pivot sprinklers. We ran the, about 2000 hours a year. They were extremely fuel efficient (more so than other brands), and EXTREMELY reliable. Running 9 engines for four engines, I only had to replace an oil pan and 2 injector lines. They also make a turbo 4 cylinder. So
I used to have an Isuzu Trooper with a 4 cylinder turbodiesel, and an S-10 with an Isuzu diesel, and one of my work trucks is an NPR. Everything else could be falling apart around that engine and it would still run. Plus, GM doesn't want the general public to know this, but a lot of their diesel technology is from joint ventures with Isuzu.
I built a generator out of a Land Rover 2.5l normally aspirated diesel and 22kw genset. Although it hasn't seen much action, it's simple, reliable and different than all the rest.
I've always had a soft spot for classic vehicles in sci-fi sounding all futuristic, but looking all retro. The idea of a 40s Ford with an electric drive train just does something to me. I love it.
You might find for future projects that European diesel engines used for tow-behind generators are quite efficient for what you're looking for in addition to being Tier IV and Tier V compliant. The Deutz 3.6 and 4.1, Hatz 4H50, and Kohler 3404 are all Tier IV or higher and hyper efficient on fuel. I work on all of these engines on a regular basis and I would say that the only one with questionable reliability is the Kohler. All of these can power 70 kw generators. Yanmar and Isuzu also make very efficient small diesels but I am less familiar with them. Depending on the power required to charge the batteries, the Deutz 2.9 might even be better suited for your application.
This is exciting technology and it’s amazing to see what intelligent people who care about the environment can do. Also, if we could get the billions of people who live in China and Southeast Asia and India to put a catalytic converter on their car, we wouldn’t be even discussing this. Civilized countries are jumping through hoops and their people paying for it so we can reduce the 2% of overall global emissions that we contribute by 0.5%. I’m looking forward to watching this develop and supporting it but it’s important to keep it in perspective.
Wow guys I'm 65 auto machinist been in the industry since 16 I love your ideas and innovations keep it up billion dollar ideas I bet elon is proud of what you have done
I am glad to see that I wasn't crazy. When Hummer went out of business I had the thought to buy surplus Humvees and convert them to diesel electric. I imagined building a luxury Hummer for about 3/4 of the cost of the Hummers of the time. I currently work as a mechanic/technician for a manufacturer of rail maintenance equipment converted from new Cat equipment. We engineer everything from scratch. Just last month I was beating up our electrical engineers for more info on the formulas for what engine power was necessary to run a generator that can keep up with the output necessary of a daily driver pickup truck. Sounds like I had a good idea, just not the skills or initiative to follow through. :)
Awesome. Some numbers for you: Current full EV trucks get around 2 miles per kWh at highway speeds (70mph). That’s 35kW average power. Double that for long-distance towing. So a 70kW generator would be in order; say a 120HP engine, to account for conversion losses.
Love the Pinky & The Brain reference. Seriously though Rich, this is fantastic that you’re going down this road. My father and I have talked about this and why it hasn’t been pursued so far. We only need to look at locomotives to know it works. I will be following along as it’s a phenomenal project and wish you every possible success.
What an incredible idea. As a previous owner of a gas-electric hybrid built in 2011, as well as a 24 year old 7.3 powerstroke diesel, I see all kinds of benefits with this. There are elements to both vehicles that I absolutely love, the quietness, smooth operation of the hybrid and the size and power of the diesel. This is the future. I can’t wait to get involved with this.
Even I am thinking in that line too. Here in India, we have trucks that are not too powerful and because truckers don't earn good money they are not able to change the vehicles periodically. So if something like locomotive engines could be developed in a small footprint at least we can avoid and reduce pollution.
Appx the time the 2nd gen Ram was on the drawing board, I saw an article, either in a Jeep/truck/offroad mag or maybe popular science or popular mechanics for a project called the Dodge Contractor that Chrysler just never made. This guy’s truck will be essentially the real-life rendition of that idea. About time, I say.
I think its more of a reliability issue for vehicles than trains. A trains running conditions are considerably more standard and controlled than the a daily driver. I'm happy to see them taking the initiative and developing this technology.
Because its a bad idea. Trains are extremely efficient because they run on rails, not so much because of their hybrid powertrain. Using electricity to power the drive motors instead of a direct mechanical means like old steam locomotives gives you a significant amount of flexibility and a powerband that starts at 0 rpm. It simplifies things, making them less expensive and less maintenance intensive. But if you're going to do this in a pickup, you not only need a large diesel engine, you also need batteries to smooth out power delivery and big electric motors. The additional cost is not going to result in great improvements in efficiency because you're still running down the road on tires. You also don't have the benefit of massive trains loaded full of freight that pays you to haul it around.
Great idea and great description. One more thing I would like to see is, make the rear axle a steering axle as well as the front and make it a quadrasteer. I live in a fifth wheel RV and this would be great for the RV industry as well.
I worked on boats for a decade and then was a facilities engineer for a decade. I lived in Europe growing up and they had very efficient diesel cars back then. Trains have been using diesel electric generators for electric motors for a very long time. As have aircraft carriers and submarines along with many other Marine vessels. For more than 20 years I've been wanting a personal vehicle with a diesel engine powering electric motors. I'm glad somebody he is getting around to it and others are realizing it is a good option. For a lot of reasons. Keep those battery packs small. Consider using a horizontally opposed engine.
so stoked for the future of Edison and Deboss, you guys are great and I think you all have a really smart idea on your hands - loving watching the progress!
As a heavy equipment operator in the Alberta Oilsands, I endorse this project 100%! We run diesel-electric haul trucks (400 ton payload) 24/7/365 and you can clearly see the benefits compared to their diesel-mechanical counterparts. My friends and co-workers have talked about this idea for awhile and wondered why it hasn’t come to fruition with all the pro-EV regulations recently. Very excited to follow along with your new adventure!
It's because it cost more. Trucks are excessively expensive and buyers don't want to pay any more than necessary. Most companies just use old trucks and replace them with more used trucks.
Let's see. it's really expensive, pushing the cost to be slightly cheaper than a full on EV, while not reducing the carbon output by anywhere close to as much as said full on EV.
I've only discovered you recently but I'm hooked. So excited that this is a Canadian Chanel. Your Hybrid truck is exactly what we need to develop for long term viability and to reduce emissions. I live in New Brunswick Can and will be watching.
I just paid the deposit. 2012 Ram 5500 4x4 Cummins, Kelderman air ride conversion front and back, 42” super single conversion, flat deck with Bigfoot camper.
I hope you have great success! It takes someone like you to tackle a project like this. Unless a person has done R&D, they have absolutely no idea how much effort and time it takes. It is difficult for people to understand that a good idea isn’t good enough if you can’t make it work.
I have been thinking of this for years. By passing the I.c.e. drive train on the hybrid is the way to go. Glad to see it is finally happening. Still not getting why none of the big manufacturers haven't given this a go.
I used to own a 2013 Ford C-Max Plug-In hybrid, I loved the instant torque of the electric propulsion, and I also know that freight trains have been running diesel-electric powertrains and I have thought that they should do with the automotive industry, bravo for taking this on, looking forward to your progress and advancements!!!
I'm a dodge freak. I love this idea. I would like to see lockable axles also. I would also think the old slant 6 and straight 6 engines would be good for these conversions.
Where do the EV idiots think the electricity is generated? Hybrid is the best way I think. The new diesels get worse mpg's than the older ones. My 96 12 valve 5.9 gets 22mpg. My 2018 f350 srw 6.7 gets 16mpg..emissions just chokes the systems..fact !
This tech has been around since forever - trains are diesel/electric, fleet tugs in the US Navy like the USS Paiute were as well. I'm a huge fan of what you're doing, especially on this scale.
I wrote The Big Three telling them this idea to use a diesel hybrid on their cars about 20 years ago when hybrids were coming out, but they didn't listen. I am so glad you are doing this starting out with a pickup. Finally somebody that's doing it!
Ha, I didn't write to them because I was sure they already knew as locomotives have been using the technology for some time. I was sure they were already working on it.
You think one of the thousands of engineers wouldn't have had the idea? If it would make more sense to use a diesel instead of a gasoline engine, they would have already implemented it. The goal of hybrids is to use the ICE engine as little as possible. You don't want to run the engine constantly. So a gasoline makes much more sense because it gets up to operating temperature much faster. Locomotives are diesel-electric because they have no batteries at all and have to move thousands of tons. Compared to road vehicles which do have batteries and only need to move between 1.5 and 40 tons
I've been following edison motors the last 2 years. They are great. Its mind-boggling that this hasn't already been done. So look forward to seeing these trucks on the road. These conversion kits would be great for delivery vans.
Ships and trains have been running diesel-electric drive trains for decades. Very efficient and reliable. I have always wondered why the hybrid cars and light trucks didn't go to diesel-electric system.
There are several gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, including the Chevy Volt & the new Ram EV Pickup. An added generator on an EV is also known as a range extender.
The word is series hybrid. In europe diesel hybrid cars are the next common hybrid from a gasoline engined hybrid. Series hybrids are rare though. The Volt/Ampera, BMW i3.
@rkan2 This is the type that I've thought all along is the obvious bridge between ICE & BEV. But the activists are unwilling to allow anything but all-electric. It's unfortunate. No credit is given for these bridge vehicles.
im a truck driver 22 years now and have been waithing for hybrid teck, I was absolutely baffeled that sociaty has went from fuel to electric glazing over hybrid teck, Thank you for your work and hope you are successful so i can drive a workhorse hybrid (that isnt a train eng) one day
Honestly, I love this idea and can't wait to see finished product. also, deep down more excited to see how awesome it becomes as it grows and perfects. Ground breaking work fellas.
I want to work on projects like this. I love electric tech, and 90 percent of my driving could be pure electric. But long road trips and towing makes a range extender/generator such a nice addition. My dream is to build kits like this for smaller vehicles, land rovers, jeeps, broncos, and stuff. I don't have a big company behind me, and allot of the manufacturers just ignore emails inquiring about purchasing parts for prototypes.
You may already know this, but China already has a consumer version. It's built by BYD of China and the model is Shark. It's comparable to a four door, five-foot bed Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma. "The Fast Lane Truck" (or TFL) channel on RUclips has done a review on it recently. It is set up exactly as what you are talking about. A small three-cylinder engine drives a generator at low RPM to charge the battery pack and it has an electric motor attached to each axle. When the battery gets low, the engine starts up automatically and recharges the battery pack. No plug-in required. I am so glad someone in North America is pursuing this concept.
You definitely motivated me to finish my project. It’s an 86 ford e 250 6.9idi that I chassis swapped for a 4x4 conversion and I now have a few dead cylinders. It’s been sitting for 5 yrs. Gonna pull the engine and get it on a run stand that’s 90% finished so I can figure this out. I’m sure by the time I’m finished with this long ass project you’ll be wrapping up this project. Can’t wait to see! And now I’m motivated for the hybrid keeping this old powerplant
Love to see the Cummins 2.8L being used. I remember when those came out. I've got a '94 22RE Toyota Pickup and was thinking of converting it to electric. Maybe this would be better. Having the engine act as an APU means that there are a lot of potential accessories that could be built, with a lot less complexity than hydraulic.
I looked at doing an EV swap for my Jeep but once I started pricing it out, I just bought the R2.8. I might make an electric buggy sometime, but the R2.8 is amazing if you drive around and wish you had torque and don’t care about hp. Even bigger gas V8s don’t have much torque until much higher RPMs.
@John5ive Amen, amen. Replacing the transmission with a generator, though, so that the 22RE just runs where it loves to run, that seems like it'd be worth doing. The ability to pull 78KW to run maybe a snowblower(???) could be a gamechanger.
Holy Cow Mess! What an exciting venture. This is going to be cool. Overlanding is gong to be so much more exciting, range, over axle and under engine, big ole tires... I love it.
I would love to be a part of this diesel-electric revolution. It's too bad i live so far away from you. If you are ever opening a conversion shop in SW Florida, I'm your man for the job. I don't have huge capital, but I'm a fully dedicated hard-working technician who would love to help spread electric-diesel conversion to the masses. It's pure genius! Keep up the good work 👏
I could easily see retrofits removing the center drive shaft with a 6-10kW battery pack, transmission with the generator component, and then 2 electric motors for the front and rear drive axles. It'll be a lot of work, but it'll be awesome if we can drop-in swap old school heavy duty trucks
Can't wait to see this kit come together. Seriously, if you can drop this kit in an old Mack truck, I'll fund the project and run it around Southern Ontario hauling freight.
Thajk you for sharing and for do this design!! This is exactly what I've been looking for! I use an EV and a gas hybrid every day. Diesel hybrids makes so much sense since the diesel generator will be much more efficient than a gas generator when producing high wattage output. I anticipate this will do significantly better for efficiency at highway speeds than gas hybrids. PLEASE make your conversion kit have a One Pedal driving mode. I love the way one pedal drive mode works and it recaptures so much energy for the batteries.
We are definitely entering the sweet spot for this tech. Batteries have become good enough and optimized diesel generators efficient enough that hybrid systems make sense. This will last until batteries get a fair bit more capacity. Probably at least double the energy per unit of weight.
A Diesel-Hybrid engine that also can use DME and/or CNG would be the DREAM. If they could get ULEV certified without damn Diesel Exhaust Fluid (aka Adblue) would be even better. Then also a Block Heater/Oil Heater/Inline Fuel Heater and whatnot for Winterization + Using PPO/Used Cooking Oil, or Transesterification Biodiesel with no worries. This project has me HYPED.
Just as a rule of thumb, a genset runs at 50% load so a semi would need 2x the battery of a car. While Topsy pulling 60k lbs with car parts is pretty amazing, you get the sense Tesla is trying to cheap out on their semi instead of overengineering their semi from the start
I’m glad to see the great diesel-electric progress! The fact is that D/E submarines are still around because they efficiently produce superior power and propulsion.
I worked at Cummins in Columbus IN and I rode in a prototype hybrid pickup in 2004. It was the first time I experienced stop/start in a vehicle and learned about regenerative breaking. It was a camo painted Ram but man was that a cool rig.
This is amazing! When I was in tech school in 2003 my instructors were talking about this type of technology in semis. Here we are it is finally happening thank you!
I've been waiting for something exactly like this. Particularly a decently sized medium duty electric straight axle. Everything is huge, tiny, or independent suspension. I'm super stoked for this one. Been following Edison for a while now and I'm super excited y'all are working together.
You have my attention. I have a 1990 f350 4x4 7.3 diesel im working on restoring. Actually my goal is to put a f700 cab with a tilt hood for that year. I might be interested in doing a setup like that in it. Ill be watching
this is what we need. i have seen a few things on that diesel electric semi and i hope they do well. i would love to see them here in the us on the roads hauling freight. as for diesel/gas electric hybrids i have been pushing for them since i was in highschool (some 20+ years ago) i always thought "hell trains have been doing it for a good long time why can't we downscale it to the size of a care or pick-up truck." these days i have been pushing more for hydrogen fuel cell or just hydrogen ICE hybrid.
I have a '79 F-100 that I would love to do this with, but I'm not sure I can justify the cost. Unfortunately, I don't drive it enough to justify it. Amazing idea, though, and I could see folks pulling old trucks out of junkyards and fitting one of these kits to build an economical, low-emission daily driver. Niel Young did something similar about 15 years ago with his 1959 Lincoln convertible - the Linc Volt he called it. He worked with a company called UQM Technologies, which doesn't seem to exist any more. He started a company called LincVolt, but it doesn't exist any more either . . .
Fantastic venture you are into. I was collecting 3 - 36 volt alternators - researching a simple 36 volt DC motor with enough power ( fork lift motor) torque wise to send my 1998 dodge diesel sown the road with just the diesel motor idling standard transmission in neutral with a separate electric accelerator control while using a simple regular lead acid battery bank to sponge acceleration and charging to make my truck more efficient when not heavily loaded. The electric motor under the truck box with an enclosed belt driven separate motor to the driveshaft ( two piece cogged tooth sprocket simple to bolt on) and engaged by electric clutch . This would give me a regular 5 speed diesel driving truck as it was originally designed as well as a flip of a switch electric drive system as my diesel just idled in neutral.. I am so glade I will be able to follow you on this conversion with great technical and financial backing.
Soooo I’m from Alberta and I was working in a plant in Edmonton that is making diesel out of canola oil it’s the only plant in Canada doing this. I feel like this is going to be a complete game change.
This is one of the most brilliant ideas. I've listened to old technology for new innovation for old technology for promises of technology that the major auto manufacturing can't keep
I just happened to come across this channel while looking up hybrid oil changes…and you can be guaranteed that you now have a new follower who is appreciative and thankful that I could offer a thumbs up!
I have a 1969 GMC 4x4 (very rare) rust free would be a sexy prototype and I am willing to let it drive around for a few years of you showing it off. Came from factory with floating axles for the 4x4 very beefy, with curb appeal to entice the sexy feel before they look under the hood.
I love hearing that someone is finally doing hybrid trucks. It's crazy that automaker engineers haven't jumped all over hybrid trucks. This is an excellent video spelling out why a series hybrid is the highest efficiency with zero range limit. Looking forward to seeing more.
Growing up, my dad spent 43 years working for Union Pacific RR. At some point, he explained how trains work. Since then, I've always wondered why the tech didn't make it into the automotive industry. I have a 2016 F-350 DRW and would love to do this! .
I have had this thought in my head for some time, but no longer able to do something like this. Soooo glad someones doing this. I really love my 2001 eclipse thoroughbred f550. Though as known, these have a poor turn radius. Also, mine is 2x4. Wondering if this could be converted to 4x4 and have much better turn radius? My other thought I've been watching for, is a COE short frame and to keep my eclipse custom hauler bed 9.5ft ( i really like it). To tow a 21K cap 40ft gooseneck race trailer, and my gooseneck converted 35ft RV.
My buddy and I are engineers that have diesel trucks/tractors and electric cars. We have been talking for a decade about how absurd it was that nobody was doing a smaller version of deisel/electric locomotives drivetrains. It seemed like a best case scenario for the use cases. I LOVE the idea of the axle motors made for heavy use.
Interested in this conversation for my 03 7.3 powerstroke. Its a pre emissions truck already. No dpf, def, egr. At 870,000 miles on the truck motor is tired anyway.
I drive a 2001 Durango and 2003 Dakota. That front end and the lines are what keep them looking timeless. Yep, ive replaced the engine in the Durango but the Dakota has its original engine. Both have been in the family since 2006. I know they aren't diesels but those older Dodges looked awesome 😎
The understanding of diesel efficiency at a selected RPM range, and the coupling of that with direct mounting the motors to the axles, this is really turning into something. This is the true answer to sustainable EVs.
Dude. This is so awesome. Thank you for taking the leap and going into the unconventional realm because it makes sense and not sticking to an old school camp based on emotion. This has so much potential!
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Reserve your Edison Motors Pickup Kit www.edisonmotors.ca/edison-pickup-kit
Saying cars haven’t evolved from the gears. …
Ya know we haven’t invented a new simple machine in over 200 years.
All based on thousands of years ago technology
Chace did wise by taking you aboard. Any video they post, there are keyboard warriors yapping that its too complicated and that EVs never have enough range.
Their main challenge is to communicate to the general audience what they are doing and why this is different, and better.
Do you think you will have a kit for half tons
If y'all had a school bus kit you'd be rich and a hero.
Oh by the way, when you get the E axles, will you convert the ISF2.8 onroad engine at 161hp at 3600rpm back to an industrial rating of 74hp at 2500rpm ?
I still think a constant speed, generator engine gives you more benefits, the ISF2.8 still comes with all the emission stuff for a variable speed onroad application...
Locomotives are basically giant generators with incredible efficiency, it’s about time someone came out for this idea with a pickup. Finally some electric I can get behind!!
Trains are efficient because they have very little rolling resistance, not because of their series hybrid arrangement. Series hybrids are less efficient than parallel hybrids, which is why a Toyota Prius has no problem getting 60+ mpg in the real world and why the Chevy Volt could only get 42 mpg when not being charged by an external power source. My non-hybrid Civic even does better than the Volt on the highway.
Diesel-electric trains don't have batteries. Instead they use the electric generator coupled with their drive motors as a transmission. AKA "electric transmission". It's ingenious and works well on ultra-heavy vehicles like those giant dump trucks with 10 foot tall tires. Hypothetically if train car manufacturers got together and built a standard they could take one or two locomotives and use them to power drive axles on every attached car. Of course that would make the cars themselves more expensive and have higher maintenance costs and be more complicated... The added power wouldn't be worth the cost especially since existing arrangements can already move an entire city with a couple locomotives... but it could be worth it for custom-made passenger trains to get smooth acceleration and higher top speeds.
@@ivanf4023 High speed electric passenger trains (like the Shinkansen and TGV) already power each axle with a motor. They don't need diesel engines, though, because they're not stuck in the stone age.
Would agree that this is similar to locomotive. Heard Mazda was looking to use their rotary engine as a generator on similar - but as mentioned - run the engine as the ideal RPM to charge is best.
Believe it or not, Dodge is about to release a hybrid Diesel pickup!
Edison motors used the idea of diesel electric locomotives, and developed this idea for road vehicles. I actually think this is the future of electric heavy trucking.
I believe Deboss is working with Eduson Motors
I've been wanting to explore it with a jet engine for motorcycles. Even 10-20kW continuous is enough for cruising. Add that with a smaller battery reserve + supercaps and you have something with lot of performance and zero emissions at low speed.
You didnt even watch the video before commenting that lol
I've said for years that this is the way to get electric into a diesel truck. I'm no mechanic or engineer so i have not idea how hard it is to do but always thought it could be done.
Exactly using a internal combustion engine to generate electricity lets you eliminate variable load lets you reduce the complexity and size of the ic engine to make efficency
I like diesels, lithium LFP batteries, oddball vehicles and such. I am a retired power generation engineer so these kinds of things interest me. I was hospitalized in January 2013. The older guy roommate had a daughter who worked at Tesla Fremont. She spent hours in our hospital room daily. I heard some engineering problems and solutions about Tesla EV's from her. I suggested building a small diesel electric ultra efficient on board charging system to add flexibility to the vehicle. Maximize all parameters on the engine to maintain the best most efficiency possible, cleanest exhaust, etc. Such a unit could recharge batteries in a parking lot while the vehicle was unattended. Capture its waste heat and use it to warm the car interior and the batteries for ultra low temperature operation. She flipped the hell out and said it was a stupid idea. Now you and Edison are doing it.
Sounds like the average ev cultist. Not really a surprise to find a devout believer at corporate.
@@randomidiot8142 And that was 11 years ago. The EV fanbois never see the whole picture. They are too busy saving the planet. For a few years now, I have been calling EV's RCV's......Remote Combustion Vehicles. Fossil fuels are burned to charge batteries. Wind and solar are supposed to be 27% overall input into our local grid. Today, it's actually 1.2% contribution to the grid because of the West Coast storm.
Instead use Nicola Tesla's Earth Capacitance Theory to pump out the electricity Planet Earth generates while spinning on its axis to recharge the system and have much fewer moving parts. There are ways to get this done that don't involve continuing to inflict COPD and other respiratory illnesses on our elderly, children and future generations. Westinghouse was all for this but Andrew Carnegie and the Oil Barron's were not and even Westinghouse couldn't protect Tesla from their influence setting the whole world back over 100 years and causing many of the high cost health problems we endure today. It would be nice if more were pursuing this technology but that would not garner much support from the energy conglomerates since they like Carnegie would see this as an end to their way of life. Imagine everybody on the planet having direct access to free electricity already being generated by the planet instead of having to pay dearly to get it from power corporations. It was amazing that they didn't assassinate Tesla and allowed Westinghouse to take care of his room and board as Tesla's health declined.
I really like my mechanical Kiki Pump diesel until I get to a fuel station however it does not have the convenience and economy of the EV which charges at home for pennies using the free courtesy charger that came with it and plugs into a standard 15 amp 120 volt outlet and while I'm sleepy always get fully charged before I wake up the next morning using about 30 to 90 cents of electricity. Truth be told the vast majority of people in North America drive less than 30 miles per day with most when they have to drive over 100 miles taking a bus or train and beyond 250 to 500 miles they are boarding a flight at an airport making it so its only a very, very small minority that actually need a vehicle that has over 100 or so miles of range for their daily lives.
I'm now finding that I really only need to start up my diesel so infrequently that I only need to fill up the tank once a year to top it off and add fuel conditioner while the same cheap used EV I've been driving for a decade has provided the rest without having to spend a penny on it for repairs aside from one set of tires, a few pairs of wiper blades, washer fluid, some cabin air filters and some brake flushes which are just maintenance items. No special stops for fuel so I can go straight home and plug into the outlet under the front overhang to charge it up every few days or so without having to install any special equipment.
The hybrid though many may clamor for it and insist they absolutely need it is really only actually needed by a very relatively few people who live in remote areas and travel far outside those communities every day. Many who do actually live in remote areas still work in a local diner, fuel station, garage, etc within 30 miles round trip of their homes and really only travel outside that a handful of times a year.
I understand that many are rabid about needing much more however when you look into their actual life situation its just for the most part based on unfounded anxiety and hype but not one a real demonstrable need except for in a relatively few cases compared to the 300 million plus people in North America. I know since I was one who was under the impression that I needed much, much more but after 10 years living with a moderate range EV I found I was wrong and was just listening to Oil Company Mantra and a Very Highly Vocal Minority.
Best!
Reminds me of a similar story of the lady engineer for the Pontiac Aztec. We all know how that one turned out.
this is not a new idea, hundreds of SAE papers on hybrid diesels..
Back in the early 1980's, as a college engineering experiment, I put a 24kw propane genset for residential use and forklift motor and batteries into a crew cab, long bed, Ford dually diesel pickup truck. I also installed the battery charger for the forklift batteries, 240 volt required, to allow charging when parked. This was using all scrap yard components, except for the truck that I had purchased from a neighbor for $900 with a destroyed engine. It took the better part of a year to complete, but it worked as planned. It was capable of highway speeds, same load capacity as original, and got the equivalent of 35mpg, up from stock 10mpg on fuel that was half the price of diesel (or less). It burned cleaner, was quieter, and had no problems with cold weather conditions. The fuel was good for YEARS, basically forever, and there was no need for fuel additives to prevent gelling. I did put a thermostat controlled heat blanket around the propane tank for pressure needs if it was cold enough to require it. As it was in Texas, I never had to use the tank heater. I sold the rig to a rancher in south central Texas as I needed the money, and he had it! As of 1993, the last time I heard from him, it was still going strong. With modern batteries, motor, electronics, etc., it should be even better and more capable. I'm too old and am now too disabled to do it again. I would like to see someone do a similar build as this type of hybrid is quieter, cleaner, and more economical than any other fueled hybrid I'm aware of. Retired Industrial Design Engineer and "hobbyist" fabricator.
Did your generator engine turn off when batteries were charged and turn back on to charge the batteries? Or did it run constantly and just idle down when the batteries were charged? I just so happen to have bought a 1985 F350 dually crew cab long bed that had the 6.9l diesel.
@@michaelblackwellii7265 It didn't then as the electronics for a smart switch autostart weren't available to me. They are commonly available today. It would be satisfying to see this idea carried forward. Good luck and best wishes.
Need a kit for vans.
Older E-series vans, express vans, even the transits and sprinters.
2wd and 4wd versions would be sweet. Lots of service guys in vans would love having all the power they need with a built in generator as well.
Tesla was beyond batteries. Why can’t there be a Electo Mag kit that uses current and runs through the Locking Torque Converter … I admit I don’t know how one works, but seems to me placing magnets around the bell or adding a spacer that contains the coils mag and transformer kit.. idk I’m just spitballing here. Trying to think outside the box (T) Edison put us in.
That Elephant killer is the one that wants you to tow 1,000 pounds of batteries around. Not Tesla. Tesla wanted us to use the earths magnetic field. Edison wanted you on DC so he could METER (Monitor) it.
Even if you had a doughnut of coils behind the converter and magnets were placed around the bellhousing .. maybe not to initiate 100% drive, but even if you could push 10/20/30 % behind an already working, already there, gas engine, that would add efficiency one might lose otherwise carrying around 1,000 pounds of batteries?
I guess I need to look up currs? Or kurs?? I might be describing that and don’t know it. Anyway, either way, eff Thomas Edison
The best “kit” so far would be a 3.3 Deere or 3.9 4bt or Isuzu 4btd. america (spelled right) is obsessed with power and 0-60 times. None of the Diesels available are needed. They are WANTED. We could be riding around on a Compound little 3.?? Cat Diesel but… government. Cat quit because of them and so did the oxy cotton guy. Fed up with being treated like a woman, it’s never enough and you can never do the right thing.. gimme money gimme money and gimme money. We don’t have free energy for a REASON. CAPITALISM. You will NEVER GET AN ROI ON FREE ENERGY SO NO ONE WILL FUND THE R&D. This has been going on for decades. For forever. This is nothing new. Btw if all gas engines could run H2O tomorrow we’d all be in a rainforest. It’s the compression they’re looking for. Fill up the space. Gas is HORRIBLE at being efficient. A driveshaft is THE WORST because drive can never “over drive” the physical bond the shaft has. Turn it sideways and imagine the engine turning drive gears on the road. A gas engine is HORRIBLE for us, but the best for our economy that keeps poor people poor and the rich rich.
Yeah those 460 Fords are hungry. One problem with the 3rd gen e series is they just are not aerodynamic. Built when 55 was the law, they use a lot of fuel at 75mph no matter what engine they have
The system is just axles as a drivetrain so you absolutely could stick them up in a van same as a pickup and you’d be good to go
That would be cool
The positive comments for this idea and company warms my heart. Thought for sure people would hate on them but you guys rock
People who truly understand vehicles can see this technology as workable. 100% electrical is a no go for those that need reliability. Hybrid dual is the future.
I'm so glad you're working with Edison to try and bring this retrofit kit to reality. I'm not the target market for a ≥ 3/4ton truck but if Edison ever considers making a smaller retrofit kit fit for something like a 1500/Ranger-sized truck, I'll be one of the first to sign up. I fall into that terrible "I don't need a truck 90% of the time but just enough every now and then to justify owning one" demographic and have been dying for some sort of innovation in this area that doesn't cost $100k.
toyota hilux diesel hybrid lol
I'm with you, but for the half ton market
I'll see your Ranger and raise you an Express van/camper. My other car is a Volt, so I know what I want. And if it makes a 4wd conversion possible, well, that's just more incentive to buy.
❤😢I'm with you on the little Ranger diesel electric.
+1
THIS IS AWESOME!! I've been calling for exactly this since '84-85!
Finally, SOMEBODY with the expertise and the forward-vision needed is making it happen!!! This is the best news I've heard in a long time.
I've got an old F600 that looks just like Mater in the movie "Cars" to restore, and I'd love to retrofit it with a kit like this. I do want it to be able to handle occasional heavy loads (like carrying boulders or concrete rubble) up to around 10K lbs., while pulling a trailer with a Bobcat. But looking at the rear end in his kit, it looks like it'd handle it. Of course I'd be driving gently on good roads if I'm overloaded like that, and not for very far.
I hope you get the chance!
I've been saying we need a diesel hybrid pickups for years. Please keep up the good work!
Run Z3 ev with generator
Dieselectric
Dislecric
The expense is the problem. That is why Toyota does not use diesels in its hybrid systems.
If you have the resources, it is the way to go.
@fatboy19831 it's not the expanse, it's dealing with emissions for the diesel.
I swapped a Cummins R2.8 and 4L65E into a 1984 GMC C1500 and also a 6BT 12 Valve and Allison 5 SPD into a 1984 GMC C3500 Service body truck. Your channel encouraged me to do it.
How's that 2.8 Cummins crate engine? It's a straight 4 banger right? Is it strong? Turboed or NA? What about emissions? Is it all choked down with DPF, SCR, EGR, & all that bs? I've only heard a lil bit about it a while ago. 👍🏻👌🏻🛠️🔩🔧🤔😃🍻
How is the MPG on each? I’m doing a 6x6 Land Cruiser 80 with a 12 valve Cummins. (Building a Doomsday truck that can run on black and bio diesel)
Engine is 4 cylinder turbo charged with EGR and DPF filter. It is a great engine for a daily driver for a half ton pickup. It tows my Kubota BX23 on a trailer just fine and gets 17 MPG while pulling.@@tdotw77
The one ton pickup with 6BT 12 valve is loaded with HVAC tools and gets 19 MPG. The half ton is a recent build, pulled out the 6.2 Detroit Diesel and replaced with R2.8. I needed the truck to move From Tacoma Washington to Nashville Tennessee pulling a trailer, so I only know it gets 17 MPG pulling a trailer. Without a load it seems to be around 25 MPG but that has been all local driving, haven't tried a long drive on freeway enough to know for sure@@devil2jz500
This is the kind of person that we need to lead the way forward in our automotive and trucking future! Common sense and the knowledge, skills, and background to back up what they say! Awesome!
Ram did, about a year ago
In the late 70’s and the 80’s I managed an irrigated farm in Texas. We used Isuzu 6 cylinder non turbo engines to power our water pumps and generators to power the pivot sprinklers. We ran the, about 2000 hours a year. They were extremely fuel efficient (more so than other brands), and EXTREMELY reliable. Running 9 engines for four engines, I only had to replace an oil pan and 2 injector lines. They also make a turbo 4 cylinder.
So
Dang, I forgot I used to see engines sitting on stands running out in the farm fields on the outskirts of Phoenix years ago. Thanks!
I used to have an Isuzu Trooper with a 4 cylinder turbodiesel, and an S-10 with an Isuzu diesel, and one of my work trucks is an NPR. Everything else could be falling apart around that engine and it would still run.
Plus, GM doesn't want the general public to know this, but a lot of their diesel technology is from joint ventures with Isuzu.
I built a generator out of a Land Rover 2.5l normally aspirated diesel and 22kw genset. Although it hasn't seen much action, it's simple, reliable and different than all the rest.
I've always had a soft spot for classic vehicles in sci-fi sounding all futuristic, but looking all retro. The idea of a 40s Ford with an electric drive train just does something to me. I love it.
Look up RG Letourneau
You might find for future projects that European diesel engines used for tow-behind generators are quite efficient for what you're looking for in addition to being Tier IV and Tier V compliant. The Deutz 3.6 and 4.1, Hatz 4H50, and Kohler 3404 are all Tier IV or higher and hyper efficient on fuel. I work on all of these engines on a regular basis and I would say that the only one with questionable reliability is the Kohler. All of these can power 70 kw generators.
Yanmar and Isuzu also make very efficient small diesels but I am less familiar with them.
Depending on the power required to charge the batteries, the Deutz 2.9 might even be better suited for your application.
I love this. I can’t afford a truck and I can’t afford a conversion but, I’ve been daydreaming about a conversion like this for years. I’m all for it!
This is exciting technology and it’s amazing to see what intelligent people who care about the environment can do. Also, if we could get the billions of people who live in China and Southeast Asia and India to put a catalytic converter on their car, we wouldn’t be even discussing this. Civilized countries are jumping through hoops and their people paying for it so we can reduce the 2% of overall global emissions that we contribute by 0.5%. I’m looking forward to watching this develop and supporting it but it’s important to keep it in perspective.
Wow guys I'm 65 auto machinist been in the industry since 16 I love your ideas and innovations keep it up billion dollar ideas I bet elon is proud of what you have done
I am glad to see that I wasn't crazy. When Hummer went out of business I had the thought to buy surplus Humvees and convert them to diesel electric. I imagined building a luxury Hummer for about 3/4 of the cost of the Hummers of the time. I currently work as a mechanic/technician for a manufacturer of rail maintenance equipment converted from new Cat equipment. We engineer everything from scratch. Just last month I was beating up our electrical engineers for more info on the formulas for what engine power was necessary to run a generator that can keep up with the output necessary of a daily driver pickup truck. Sounds like I had a good idea, just not the skills or initiative to follow through. :)
Awesome. Some numbers for you: Current full EV trucks get around 2 miles per kWh at highway speeds (70mph). That’s 35kW average power. Double that for long-distance towing. So a 70kW generator would be in order; say a 120HP engine, to account for conversion losses.
A quick search for 70kw generators tells me we need a new design. Most of them are pulled on a trailer. I'm sure this audience has a solution.
Love the Pinky & The Brain reference. Seriously though Rich, this is fantastic that you’re going down this road. My father and I have talked about this and why it hasn’t been pursued so far. We only need to look at locomotives to know it works. I will be following along as it’s a phenomenal project and wish you every possible success.
This is awesome. The only way to go electric. The instant torque, while eliminating range/charge anxiety. Keep up the innovation.
What an incredible idea. As a previous owner of a gas-electric hybrid built in 2011, as well as a 24 year old 7.3 powerstroke diesel, I see all kinds of benefits with this. There are elements to both vehicles that I absolutely love, the quietness, smooth operation of the hybrid and the size and power of the diesel. This is the future. I can’t wait to get involved with this.
ive been thinking it for years "why dont we do what trains do?" glad to see these things being made.
Even I am thinking in that line too. Here in India, we have trucks that are not too powerful and because truckers don't earn good money they are not able to change the vehicles periodically. So if something like locomotive engines could be developed in a small footprint at least we can avoid and reduce pollution.
Appx the time the 2nd gen Ram was on the drawing board, I saw an article, either in a Jeep/truck/offroad mag or maybe popular science or popular mechanics for a project called the Dodge Contractor that Chrysler just never made. This guy’s truck will be essentially the real-life rendition of that idea.
About time, I say.
I think its more of a reliability issue for vehicles than trains. A trains running conditions are considerably more standard and controlled than the a daily driver. I'm happy to see them taking the initiative and developing this technology.
Because its a bad idea. Trains are extremely efficient because they run on rails, not so much because of their hybrid powertrain. Using electricity to power the drive motors instead of a direct mechanical means like old steam locomotives gives you a significant amount of flexibility and a powerband that starts at 0 rpm. It simplifies things, making them less expensive and less maintenance intensive.
But if you're going to do this in a pickup, you not only need a large diesel engine, you also need batteries to smooth out power delivery and big electric motors. The additional cost is not going to result in great improvements in efficiency because you're still running down the road on tires. You also don't have the benefit of massive trains loaded full of freight that pays you to haul it around.
@@DriveCarToBar I think a parallel hybrid makes way more sense, do you agree?
Great idea and great description. One more thing I would like to see is, make the rear axle a steering axle as well as the front and make it a quadrasteer. I live in a fifth wheel RV and this would be great for the RV industry as well.
Sweet, my garage pals and I talked about this 20 years ago while thinking about trains.
I love it!!!
I worked on boats for a decade and then was a facilities engineer for a decade. I lived in Europe growing up and they had very efficient diesel cars back then. Trains have been using diesel electric generators for electric motors for a very long time. As have aircraft carriers and submarines along with many other Marine vessels. For more than 20 years I've been wanting a personal vehicle with a diesel engine powering electric motors. I'm glad somebody he is getting around to it and others are realizing it is a good option. For a lot of reasons. Keep those battery packs small. Consider using a horizontally opposed engine.
so stoked for the future of Edison and Deboss, you guys are great and I think you all have a really smart idea on your hands - loving watching the progress!
Great stuff. Submarines, ships and trains have been using this technology for decades!
As a heavy equipment operator in the Alberta Oilsands, I endorse this project 100%!
We run diesel-electric haul trucks (400 ton payload) 24/7/365 and you can clearly see the benefits compared to their diesel-mechanical counterparts.
My friends and co-workers have talked about this idea for awhile and wondered why it hasn’t come to fruition with all the pro-EV regulations recently. Very excited to follow along with your new adventure!
It's because it cost more. Trucks are excessively expensive and buyers don't want to pay any more than necessary. Most companies just use old trucks and replace them with more used trucks.
Let's see. it's really expensive, pushing the cost to be slightly cheaper than a full on EV, while not reducing the carbon output by anywhere close to as much as said full on EV.
I've only discovered you recently but I'm hooked. So excited that this is a Canadian Chanel. Your Hybrid truck is exactly what we need to develop for long term viability and to reduce emissions. I live in New Brunswick Can and will be watching.
I just paid the deposit.
2012 Ram 5500 4x4 Cummins, Kelderman air ride conversion front and back, 42” super single conversion, flat deck with Bigfoot camper.
I've followed Edison since before Topsy was built. I'm actually excited to watch this when i get home. Top of my watch later!
I hope you have great success! It takes someone like you to tackle a project like this. Unless a person has done R&D, they have absolutely no idea how much effort and time it takes. It is difficult for people to understand that a good idea isn’t good enough if you can’t make it work.
I have been thinking of this for years. By passing the I.c.e. drive train on the hybrid is the way to go. Glad to see it is finally happening. Still not getting why none of the big manufacturers haven't given this a go.
What you are doing is absolutely monumental! I feel The history books years from now will record your efforts!!!
I used to own a 2013 Ford C-Max Plug-In hybrid, I loved the instant torque of the electric propulsion, and I also know that freight trains have been running diesel-electric powertrains and I have thought that they should do with the automotive industry, bravo for taking this on, looking forward to your progress and advancements!!!
I'm a dodge freak. I love this idea. I would like to see lockable axles also. I would also think the old slant 6 and straight 6 engines would be good for these conversions.
The old slant 6 , with 4 mains , is indestructible !
Where do the EV idiots think the electricity is generated? Hybrid is the best way I think. The new diesels get worse mpg's than the older ones. My 96 12 valve 5.9 gets 22mpg. My 2018 f350 srw 6.7 gets 16mpg..emissions just chokes the systems..fact !
This tech has been around since forever - trains are diesel/electric, fleet tugs in the US Navy like the USS Paiute were as well. I'm a huge fan of what you're doing, especially on this scale.
I wrote The Big Three telling them this idea to use a diesel hybrid on their cars about 20 years ago when hybrids were coming out, but they didn't listen. I am so glad you are doing this starting out with a pickup. Finally somebody that's doing it!
Ha, I didn't write to them because I was sure they already knew as locomotives have been using the technology for some time. I was sure they were already working on it.
The more I learned about electric vehicles and diesels I wondered could it work? Nice to see this.
Yes you are correct, diesel locomotives have been doing this same technology since the 1950s, actually early fifties.
You think one of the thousands of engineers wouldn't have had the idea? If it would make more sense to use a diesel instead of a gasoline engine, they would have already implemented it. The goal of hybrids is to use the ICE engine as little as possible. You don't want to run the engine constantly. So a gasoline makes much more sense because it gets up to operating temperature much faster.
Locomotives are diesel-electric because they have no batteries at all and have to move thousands of tons. Compared to road vehicles which do have batteries and only need to move between 1.5 and 40 tons
I've been following edison motors the last 2 years. They are great. Its mind-boggling that this hasn't already been done. So look forward to seeing these trucks on the road. These conversion kits would be great for delivery vans.
Ships and trains have been running diesel-electric drive trains for decades. Very efficient and reliable. I have always wondered why the hybrid cars and light trucks didn't go to diesel-electric system.
There are several gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, including the Chevy Volt & the new Ram EV Pickup. An added generator on an EV is also known as a range extender.
The word is series hybrid. In europe diesel hybrid cars are the next common hybrid from a gasoline engined hybrid. Series hybrids are rare though. The Volt/Ampera, BMW i3.
@rkan2 This is the type that I've thought all along is the obvious bridge between ICE & BEV. But the activists are unwilling to allow anything but all-electric. It's unfortunate. No credit is given for these bridge vehicles.
im a truck driver 22 years now and have been waithing for hybrid teck, I was absolutely baffeled that sociaty has went from fuel to electric glazing over hybrid teck, Thank you for your work and hope you are successful so i can drive a workhorse hybrid (that isnt a train eng) one day
Honestly, I love this idea and can't wait to see finished product. also, deep down more excited to see how awesome it becomes as it grows and perfects. Ground breaking work fellas.
Mr. One take Jake. Excellent delivery of this project. I'm motivated hybridly now.
I want to work on projects like this.
I love electric tech, and 90 percent of my driving could be pure electric. But long road trips and towing makes a range extender/generator such a nice addition.
My dream is to build kits like this for smaller vehicles, land rovers, jeeps, broncos, and stuff. I don't have a big company behind me, and allot of the manufacturers just ignore emails inquiring about purchasing parts for prototypes.
Have you tried Yamaha?
You may already know this, but China already has a consumer version. It's built by BYD of China and the model is Shark. It's comparable to a four door, five-foot bed Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma. "The Fast Lane Truck" (or TFL) channel on RUclips has done a review on it recently. It is set up exactly as what you are talking about. A small three-cylinder engine drives a generator at low RPM to charge the battery pack and it has an electric motor attached to each axle. When the battery gets low, the engine starts up automatically and recharges the battery pack. No plug-in required. I am so glad someone in North America is pursuing this concept.
The most efficient use of any power system is a good thing. Getting the most work out of every gallon of diesel is a good thing
Solid direction, really look forward to the build, you do a fantastic job covering all of the bases on your adventures, keep it up!!!
You definitely motivated me to finish my project. It’s an 86 ford e 250 6.9idi that I chassis swapped for a 4x4 conversion and I now have a few dead cylinders. It’s been sitting for 5 yrs. Gonna pull the engine and get it on a run stand that’s 90% finished so I can figure this out. I’m sure by the time I’m finished with this long ass project you’ll be wrapping up this project. Can’t wait to see! And now I’m motivated for the hybrid keeping this old powerplant
Where have I been the last 2 months? This is frickn awesome!!!
Love to see the Cummins 2.8L being used. I remember when those came out.
I've got a '94 22RE Toyota Pickup and was thinking of converting it to electric. Maybe this would be better.
Having the engine act as an APU means that there are a lot of potential accessories that could be built, with a lot less complexity than hydraulic.
I looked at doing an EV swap for my Jeep but once I started pricing it out, I just bought the R2.8. I might make an electric buggy sometime, but the R2.8 is amazing if you drive around and wish you had torque and don’t care about hp. Even bigger gas V8s don’t have much torque until much higher RPMs.
why change that '94 at all...pick a truck that had a pos drive train to convert to electric
@bugoutjeep8065 what kind of mileage are you getting out of that?
@John5ive Amen, amen.
Replacing the transmission with a generator, though, so that the 22RE just runs where it loves to run, that seems like it'd be worth doing.
The ability to pull 78KW to run maybe a snowblower(???) could be a gamechanger.
Holy Cow Mess! What an exciting venture. This is going to be cool. Overlanding is gong to be so much more exciting, range, over axle and under engine, big ole tires... I love it.
I would love to be a part of this diesel-electric revolution. It's too bad i live so far away from you. If you are ever opening a conversion shop in SW Florida, I'm your man for the job. I don't have huge capital, but I'm a fully dedicated hard-working technician who would love to help spread electric-diesel conversion to the masses. It's pure genius! Keep up the good work 👏
In full agreement here in Tampa! Would love to be on the sales end of these!
Locomotives have been using the hybrid system for years.
It’s pure logic to go diesel-electric ❤🤟🏼😎
Trains have been this way since the 50s. Best route
@@reedbuntain9505 exactly
I could easily see retrofits removing the center drive shaft with a 6-10kW battery pack, transmission with the generator component, and then 2 electric motors for the front and rear drive axles. It'll be a lot of work, but it'll be awesome if we can drop-in swap old school heavy duty trucks
Why didn't the RUclips algorithm suggest your channel sooner?
Can't wait to see this kit come together. Seriously, if you can drop this kit in an old Mack truck, I'll fund the project and run it around Southern Ontario hauling freight.
Thajk you for sharing and for do this design!!
This is exactly what I've been looking for! I use an EV and a gas hybrid every day. Diesel hybrids makes so much sense since the diesel generator will be much more efficient than a gas generator when producing high wattage output. I anticipate this will do significantly better for efficiency at highway speeds than gas hybrids.
PLEASE make your conversion kit have a One Pedal driving mode. I love the way one pedal drive mode works and it recaptures so much energy for the batteries.
We are definitely entering the sweet spot for this tech. Batteries have become good enough and optimized diesel generators efficient enough that hybrid systems make sense. This will last until batteries get a fair bit more capacity. Probably at least double the energy per unit of weight.
Awesome! For now hybrids make a helluva lotta sense!
This is great. You should adapt this for diesel to hybrid conversions for boats.
A Diesel-Hybrid engine that also can use DME and/or CNG would be the DREAM.
If they could get ULEV certified without damn Diesel Exhaust Fluid (aka Adblue) would be even better.
Then also a Block Heater/Oil Heater/Inline Fuel Heater and whatnot for Winterization + Using PPO/Used Cooking Oil, or Transesterification Biodiesel with no worries.
This project has me HYPED.
Just as a rule of thumb, a genset runs at 50% load so a semi would need 2x the battery of a car. While Topsy pulling 60k lbs with car parts is pretty amazing, you get the sense Tesla is trying to cheap out on their semi instead of overengineering their semi from the start
Finally, someone is willing to put locomotive tech in vehicles!
So excited to see this develop!! I want to do a curbmaster type fedex/puralator etc..
I’m glad to see the great diesel-electric progress! The fact is that D/E submarines are still around because they efficiently produce superior power and propulsion.
I have been discussing /arguing this concept as the ONLY sensible hybrid for a couple of years. Very glad to follow you on the journey.
I worked at Cummins in Columbus IN and I rode in a prototype hybrid pickup in 2004. It was the first time I experienced stop/start in a vehicle and learned about regenerative breaking. It was a camo painted Ram but man was that a cool rig.
This is amazing! When I was in tech school in 2003 my instructors were talking about this type of technology in semis. Here we are it is finally happening thank you!
It is an exciting project. Edison and DG collab!
I've been waiting for something exactly like this. Particularly a decently sized medium duty electric straight axle. Everything is huge, tiny, or independent suspension. I'm super stoked for this one. Been following Edison for a while now and I'm super excited y'all are working together.
You have my attention. I have a 1990 f350 4x4 7.3 diesel im working on restoring. Actually my goal is to put a f700 cab with a tilt hood for that year. I might be interested in doing a setup like that in it. Ill be watching
Love that we get to see Edison vs Tesla round 2 in our lifetimes
Man,,, that's cool stuff. I've thought for yrs about a welding truck that is powered by the welder itself.
this is what we need. i have seen a few things on that diesel electric semi and i hope they do well. i would love to see them here in the us on the roads hauling freight.
as for diesel/gas electric hybrids i have been pushing for them since i was in highschool (some 20+ years ago) i always thought "hell trains have been doing it for a good long time why can't we downscale it to the size of a care or pick-up truck."
these days i have been pushing more for hydrogen fuel cell or just hydrogen ICE hybrid.
This is the way forward for the entire automotive industry. Electric DRIVE is fantastic. "All Electric" vehicles are not practical at any scale.
You guys are doing a lot of work that I enjoy too.
If things work I could work part-time with you
I have a '79 F-100 that I would love to do this with, but I'm not sure I can justify the cost. Unfortunately, I don't drive it enough to justify it.
Amazing idea, though, and I could see folks pulling old trucks out of junkyards and fitting one of these kits to build an economical, low-emission daily driver.
Niel Young did something similar about 15 years ago with his 1959 Lincoln convertible - the Linc Volt he called it. He worked with a company called UQM Technologies, which doesn't seem to exist any more. He started a company called LincVolt, but it doesn't exist any more either . . .
Fantastic venture you are into. I was collecting 3 - 36 volt alternators - researching a simple 36 volt DC motor with enough power ( fork lift motor) torque wise to send my 1998 dodge diesel sown the road with just the diesel motor idling standard transmission in neutral with a separate electric accelerator control while using a simple regular lead acid battery bank to sponge acceleration and charging to make my truck more efficient when not heavily loaded. The electric motor under the truck box with an enclosed belt driven separate motor to the driveshaft ( two piece cogged tooth sprocket simple to bolt on) and engaged by electric clutch . This would give me a regular 5 speed diesel driving truck as it was originally designed as well as a flip of a switch electric drive system as my diesel just idled in neutral.. I am so glade I will be able to follow you on this conversion with great technical and financial backing.
Soooo I’m from Alberta and I was working in a plant in Edmonton that is making diesel out of canola oil it’s the only plant in Canada doing this. I feel like this is going to be a complete game change.
Love to hear this from Alberta.
Hopefully, you are able to make smaller version. My Jeep TJ would love to have this. Keep up the great work
This makes a lot of sense. Way more than all electric that is mostly a giant battery pack.
Would love to do this in an Excursion, Diesel Hybrid while converting to a true one ton and swapping in a great late model interior.
This is one of the most brilliant ideas. I've listened to old technology for new innovation for old technology for promises of technology that the major auto manufacturing can't keep
I just happened to come across this channel while looking up hybrid oil changes…and you can be guaranteed that you now have a new follower who is appreciative and thankful that I could offer a thumbs up!
This is such a great idea! I would love to have an opportunity to get a truck retrofitted. Some day, if I ever get that kind of funds for one... lol
Excited for this project! As a retired High Voltage Power Plant Engineer and truck enthusiast who tows a 6K camper trailer and plow snow.
I have a 1969 GMC 4x4 (very rare) rust free would be a sexy prototype and I am willing to let it drive around for a few years of you showing it off. Came from factory with floating axles for the 4x4 very beefy, with curb appeal to entice the sexy feel before they look under the hood.
I love hearing that someone is finally doing hybrid trucks. It's crazy that automaker engineers haven't jumped all over hybrid trucks. This is an excellent video spelling out why a series hybrid is the highest efficiency with zero range limit. Looking forward to seeing more.
Growing up, my dad spent 43 years working for Union Pacific RR. At some point, he explained how trains work. Since then, I've always wondered why the tech didn't make it into the automotive industry. I have a 2016 F-350 DRW and would love to do this! .
I have had this thought in my head for some time, but no longer able to do something like this. Soooo glad someones doing this. I really love my 2001 eclipse thoroughbred f550. Though as known, these have a poor turn radius. Also, mine is 2x4. Wondering if this could be converted to 4x4 and have much better turn radius? My other thought I've been watching for, is a COE short frame and to keep my eclipse custom hauler bed 9.5ft ( i really like it). To tow a 21K cap 40ft gooseneck race trailer, and my gooseneck converted 35ft RV.
I've talked about what Edison is doing for years! So glad that he's going on with such a amazing design.
This program will provide a full revolutionary solution for all! I get chills watching the developments!
My buddy and I are engineers that have diesel trucks/tractors and electric cars. We have been talking for a decade about how absurd it was that nobody was doing a smaller version of deisel/electric locomotives drivetrains. It seemed like a best case scenario for the use cases. I LOVE the idea of the axle motors made for heavy use.
Interested in this conversation for my 03 7.3 powerstroke. Its a pre emissions truck already. No dpf, def, egr. At 870,000 miles on the truck motor is tired anyway.
I drive a 2001 Durango and 2003 Dakota. That front end and the lines are what keep them looking timeless. Yep, ive replaced the engine in the Durango but the Dakota has its original engine. Both have been in the family since 2006. I know they aren't diesels but those older Dodges looked awesome 😎
The efficiency of the generator coupled with batteries is an amazing improvement.
The understanding of diesel efficiency at a selected RPM range, and the coupling of that with direct mounting the motors to the axles, this is really turning into something. This is the true answer to sustainable EVs.
GREAT VIDEO, LOVE IT, ALL THE WAY FROM AUSTRALIA
Dude. This is so awesome. Thank you for taking the leap and going into the unconventional realm because it makes sense and not sticking to an old school camp based on emotion. This has so much potential!