Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - August 2022 - 3

TECHNICAL
INNOVATIONS
SAE INTERNATIONAL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Srinivasa (Sri) Srinath, Ph.D
President
Jeff Hemphill
2021 President
Todd Zarfos
2023 President Elect
Susan Ying, Ph.D
Vice President - Aerospace
Daniel Nicholson
Vice President - Automotive
Michael Weinert
Vice President -
Commercial Vehicle
Andrew Jeffers
Treasurer
David L. Schutt, Ph.D
Chief Executive Officer
Gregory L. Bradley, Esq.
Secretary
Judy Curran
Rhonda Walthall
Joan Wills
ELECTRIFICATION
Lightning eMotors adapts to changing electrification market
Lightning's
electric
systems are
designed to fit
onto existing
chassis.
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A growing number of commercial truck fleets
are moving to electric vehicles, driven partially
by government mandates and support funding.
For suppliers like Lightning eMotors, that
means adapting to changing markets and creating
designs for both a range of new vehicles
and techniques that efficiently convert aging
internal-combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to
electrified powertrains.
Lightning is currently expanding its efforts in
repowering ICE trucks and buses with electric
systems, but it's also inked new vehicle partnerships
with General Motors and school bus
supplier Blue Bird Corp. Founded in 2008,
Lightning began with a focus on hybrid vehicles
but switched to fully electric designs in 2016.
" One of our strengths is our ability to pivot, "
Nick Bettis, Lightning's marketing director, said
during the recent Lightning Day event at the
company's Colorado headquarters. " Now we're
making a lot of new vehicles, but repowering is
coming up quickly. We procured a decent supply
of chassis - what we ordered in 2020 is
now coming in. "
Repowering got a boost when the federal government
opted to provide funding for conversions
TRUCK & OFF-HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
as part of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill
passed in 2021. That's prompted a sharp increase
in demand for converting existing vehicles
to electric powertrains. Many fleet owners
are making this choice given the current shortage
of new vehicles and their high cost.
Repowering also lets fleet owners convert
existing vehicles that have been customized
with wheelchair lifts, roof-top air conditioners
and other equipment. Earlier this year, Lightning
expanded a partnership with Forest River, helping
the Berkshire Hathaway-owned company
repower its gas and diesel vehicles. More than
50,000 Forest River shuttle buses and passenger
vans are eligible for these conversions.
" We can take vehicles that are older and in
good condition and electrify them through repowering, "
Bettis said. " That's probably not a
long-term solution; eventually new vehicles will
become more prevalent. "
Shift to new EVs
The shift to new vehicles may become more
prevalent within a year. Lightning currently is
purchasing Ford Transit chassis, refurbishing
them, and selling the ICE powertrains.
August 2022 3
LIGHTNING EMOTORS
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Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - August 2022

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