Smith Medium-Duty Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project II
Cost, performance limitations, range anxiety, and infrastructure and informational barriers prevent electrification market transformation in medium-duty trucking. In 2015, Smith completed a USDOE-funded Demonstration Project, which analyzed performance data from 439 Smith Newtons, in diverse Class 4 - 6 configurations, in diverse fleets in 18 states. As part of a second nationwide demonstration project, Smith will partner with Babylon and NYPA to deploy 100 3rd-generation Class 6 Newtons, chiefly in Wyandanch and other disadvantaged communities, with top speed over 70 mph, maximum range over 150 miles, and lower total ownership cost than diesel. Results will be measured through comprehensive telemetry data, gathered and analyzed by National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL). For Class-6 EVs, only Smith has completed two development cycles, and Smith's partnerships with communities, utilities, and highly-skilled International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)-signatory contractors will overcome infrastructure and informational barriers. Smith's second-generation Newton outperforms all current EV competitors, and the third-generation Newton will be cost- and performance-competitive with diesel alternatives.
The Newton 3.0 will address performance concerns by achieving max speed of 70 mph, max range of 150 mi, and range extension options. Ricardo Engineering has validated Smith's cost down road map, and Smith has determined that manufacturing the Newton 3.0 at scale will reduce purchase costs by 33%, at which price the Newton will have a lower total ownership cost than diesel alternatives. Ricardo will assist Smith in identifying opportunities to further reduce ownership cost through lowered service and maintenance costs. Smith's collaboration with NYPA and NREL will allow it to map out solutions to the impact that increased electrification will have on grid operation. Smith will verify success through robust data collection and analysis, as well as qualitative user feedback. As discussed above, the environmental costs of diesel emissions are disproportionately externalized on disadvantaged communities, and electrification will provide substantial health benefits to those communities in the form of improved local air quality from offsetting diesel particulate and NOx emissions. Smith will quantify, track and report on specific GHG and tailpipe emissions offsets throughout the project. Meanwhile, a bidirectional open-standard SmithLink will permit deeper interaction between vehicle, grid, building, freight, transportation, and other data systems. This will allow greater logistics efficiency for operators, and facilitate deeper analysis for infrastructure planning among utilities and other stakeholders.