While long-haul battery-electric commercial vehicles still face limitations, it's important to remember that new technologies take time to implement. That doesn't mean they aren't viable for short- and medium-distance routes—where, in some cases, BEVs are actually better suited than their older diesel counterparts.
Case in point: battery-powered yard tractors.
[Related: Yard tractors take lead in battery electric market share]
Orange EV, already a major market player in electric yard trucks, has teamed up with charging tech company OptiGrid to launch the very appropriately named Orange Juicer, a high-capacity DC fast charger boasting a built-in 180 kWh battery that not only enables fast charging capability but also with up to 85% less grid input power.
[Related: YMX Logistics, Orange EV announce North American partnership]
Above all, the Orange Juicer allows fleets to bypass years-long delays for new power service or infrastructure quotes in the six- to seven-figure range can make electrification projects financially unfeasible.
Not only does it deliver high-performance charging without compromising speed or uptime, the Orange Juicer's modular, scalable design grows with fleet needs and can be relocated as site requirements evolve. It's also fully compatible with Orange EV trucks and adaptable for other fleet equipment.
"Fleet operators are tired of waiting on infrastructure that doesn't match their electrification schedule," said Tyler Phillipi, CEO of OptiGrid. "The Orange Juicer gives them the power to deploy today, with charging performance that rivals high-capacity systems but requires just a fraction of the grid input."
OptiGrid itself isn't new to the business; its charging platform is now in its fourth generation with a decade's worth of engineering development under its belt. Combined with Orange EV trucks that already save an average of $60,000 per vehicle annually in diesel costs, pairing them with the Orange Juicer accelerates electrification while further maximizing cost efficiency.
"As more customers accelerate adoption of Orange EV trucks and electrify other site equipment, we've seen infrastructure upgrades cause serious holdups," adds Kurt Neutgens, co-founder and president of Orange EV. "The Orange Juicer solves that challenge, giving fleets a fast, scalable, and cost-effective charging platform that utilizes existing on-site power."
Sales of the Orange Juicer are due to get underway in Q4 of this year but pricing details have yet to be announced.
