Antartica winter will challenge two e-ride Industries EXV2s electric trucks

Later this year, we'll have some more insight into the performance of electric vehicle batteries in really cold weather. Two e-ride Industries EXV2s are being tested at the McMurdo Station research facility located in Antarctica by the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), along with the National Science Foundation and Raytheon Polar Services who jointly own one of the EVs. These EXV2s are being considered as possible replacements for the diesel-powered vehicles currently used at the station. According to Ted Sears, NREL Senior Task Leader:

This project is specifically looking at reducing the amount of petroleum used down in Antarctica. Transporting vehicle fuel to Antarctica is costly and resource intensive, and requires great planning as well. Managing energy use very carefully is critical because of potentially harmful effects on the environment.

The truck-like EXV2 is powered by lead-acid batteries and tops out at a mere 25 mph. Before making the long journey to McMurdo, equipment to log data, battery insulation and battery heaters were installed. Additionally, testing was done by NREL at -9°F to gather some data and ensure that the EVs perform as expected. The vehicles arrived in Antarctica before the extreme winter began and have been performing well, logging almost 140 miles in a month. Considering winter temps can get down to -50°F, the next few months will test them to the extreme.

[Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory | Image: Dennis Schroeder]

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