New information on the electric Ford F-150 Hi-Pa coming to SEMA
Click for a gallery of the Hi-Pa F-150
When it comes to all things pickup truck related, Mike Levine is the go-to guy. Mike has been continuing to investigate the back story on the PML F-150 Hi-Pa that will making its debut at the SEMA Show next week. It turns out that PML didn't build this truck single-handedly. They teamed up with DST Industries and Ford on the project. The V8 powertrain has been completely stripped out in favor of the electric drive system. According the PML the motors are good for over 150 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque... each! That's over 600 hp cumulative and 2,000 lb-ft of torque at the wheels. PML's wheel motors pull electrons for drive from a 40 kWh lithium ion battery pack that sits under the rear part of the cab and the bed where the gas tank normally sits. The motors, of course, also provide regenerative braking capability although the hydraulic friction brakes are also retained.
The truck is currently electric only which means it has a range of only 75-100 miles. Early next year, PML is planning to add an engine and generator to transform it into a series hybrid. The company wants to use an existing emissions-certified engine, preferably a flex-fuel example. PML CEO Craig Knight told Mike that there are no current production plans for the Hi-Pa F-150 although it could be built by 2011. Mike tells ABG that PML doesn't plan to build motors but would rather license the designs to a tier 1 supplier that will work with automakers.
Gallery: PML Hi-Pa F-150
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gorr 8:19PM (10/29/2008)
LOL, 75 to 100 miles autonomy for this truck. I guess that these trucks are meant to work so if you are an entreprenor with heavy stuff in the truck and a trailer behind then the autonomy get to 20 miles at 30 m.p.h, LOL. All that bullsh*t while proven and efficient hydrogen fuelcell trucks and cars are sleeping and waiting from customers that wants to get rid of gasoline and diesel and go green. How can we go green if manufacturers are led and administrated by u.s goverment for big oil ???
Ford mean , Fix
Or
Repair
Daily
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Chris M 11:26PM (10/29/2008)
Gorr, I realize that Hydrogen has become your religion, but please understand that automotive H2 fuel cell costs are way outside the average persons budget, and I dare say way outside your budget, too.
You may see batteries as some sort of heresy to your Holy Hydrogen, but please realize that the Honda FCX Clarity and all the fuel cell vehicles from all the other manufacturers require batteries to supplement the fuel cell. Therefore, it is most unwise of you to criticize batteries based solely on your prejudices and not on any verifiable facts. This F150 prototype has 600 peak HP available, which means a top speed much faster than 30 mph even when fully loaded with cargo.
Victor 3:03AM (10/30/2008)
I would LOVE to retrofit my truck with the PML system.
Now THAT is a retrofit kit that makes sense...its' all in the wheels. Brilliant. I want it bad.
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JamesWB 7:12AM (10/30/2008)
Am I right in thinking they could make a 2wd version with double the range or for a lot cheaper?
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Herm 8:15AM (10/30/2008)
The 2wd version would have the same range, but you would lose a lot of brake recovery energy from the front wheels. Drag is what kills the range in these vehicles.. in any case put in an ICE generator to recharge the batteries and also provide power to contractors and you will not be able to keep them in the showrooms.
The torque is immense.. The weight of the batteries would be good for a PU, they usually have poor traction on the rear when unloaded.. I wonder how much it would cost with only a 40 mile range?
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JamesWB 11:08AM (10/30/2008)
How does BMW regen braking work? Cos you could have that on the front wheels and the powerful motors on the back ones. Add a small generator for extended range and it would be a lot cheaper/more practical.
Herm 11:57AM (10/31/2008)
the motors are also used for brake energy recovery, it is all the same unit.. it will work on the rear wheels but the front wheels are the ones that do most of the braking in a car and that is why you will have to do more frequent brake jobs on the front wheels.
Herm 8:18AM (10/30/2008)
I forgot, crews many times need power.. the generators are expensive, have to be refueled and someone has to take care of it or they will get stolen at night.. a nuisance. You all have seen how they hoist them in the air to prevent that.
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Serge 10:30AM (10/30/2008)
It would be interesting to see a small removable generator fitted in the bed. This way, longer trips can be powered by E85 or diesel fuel at a premium over electricity.
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Badsteer 8:05AM (11/22/2008)
Gee gorr where would i top off my hydrogen tank, but in reality start it as a hybrid with a generator in the engine compartment and when the world comes up with a viable fuel cell technology , switch out the generator for fuel cell .
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