Phev Truck - Workhorse

[Jambe]

https://www.tfltruck.com/2018/01/workhorse-w-15-now-available-general-public-pricing-news/

 

[Coss]

That jeep thing is pretty cool; expensive, but cool.
I wonder how long the batteries last? (as in life) and how much range you get.

 

[RSchneider]

Workhorse Truck:
https://workhorse.com/

Workhorse truck to be built in Lordstown, OH (the shuttered Chevy Cruze plant Elio could have used):
https://electrek.co/2019/05/28/workhorse-plant-gm-trouble/

Here's the Jeep thing:
https://bollingermotors.com/

 

[Hog]

the jeep looks alot like my old 1969 international scout, although scraping by those trees and rocks would punch some big dents in aluminum (they did in steel too).All in all, I would take the old 4 cylinder scout any day.

 

[airforceguy6]

That jeep thing is pretty cool; expensive, but cool.
I wonder how long the batteries last? (as in life) and how much range you get.

Coss,

Here was a few more details about the truck as of 8May from https://www.trucks.com/2019/05/08/workhorse-electric-pickup-truck-what-we-learned-from-test-drive/ I highlighted a few notes:

• Electric power: The Workhorse W-15 is powered by lithium-ion batteries made by Panasonic that are mounted to the floor of the truck, lending it a low center of gravity. The batteries power dual electric motors that give the W-15 about 450 horsepower and 80 miles of all-electric range.
• One fast truck: The electric motors make the W-15 accelerate like a freight train, quickly building momentum in near silence. Since it doesn’t need to change gears, the truck rushes forward without interruptions. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds.
• Range extender: A small 1.5-liter three-cylinder BMW gasoline engine provides extra driving range in case the batteries run out of charge. The engine generates power to operate the electric motors – it does not drive the wheels on its own. (total range with gasoline range extender approx 310 miles)
• Work site toughness: Though the W-15 is meant primarily as a statement piece for construction foremen, it’s engineered for strength. The truck has a maximum payload capacity of 2,200 pounds and maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds (not very high)
• Braking issues: While the electric powertrain provides more than enough muscle, the W-15 needs brakes more suited to the task. The W-15 is not tuned to automatically brake when the gas pedal lets off, as many automakers’ electric vehicles do. Workhorse may make regenerative braking more aggressive for production.
• Carbon fiber body: The prototype Trucks.com tested used body panels made of lightweight carbon fiber to make the vehicle rigid yet light. The material helped the W-15 offset the hefty weight of the batteries. Production versions will use more cost-effective composite plastic.
• Unfinished model: Workhorse planned to make changes to the W-15 driven in 2017. Its body panels were creaky, and some fit and finish could be improved, especially on the interior.
• 2018 changes: The company revealed a slight redesign in 2018 that featured a modified chassis and new bumpers. It also had a longer cabin, a 6.5-foot bed and an optional roof-mounted light bar. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring.
• Unknown future: Workhorse accepted thousands of deposits for consumer and commercial versions of the W-15 pickup truck. But the company has released few updates since the 2018 redesign. In March, executives announced Workhorse would hold off on the W-15 and focus on electric vans due to financial setbacks.

The batteries are provided by Panasonic, which is the same company that provides to Tesla (which have had vehicles already pushing 350K miles). However, it is unknown if Workhorse will decide to go with the same battery chemistry to match performance/life expectancy.

 

[RSchneider]

The main problem with the Workhorse and Bollinger is that if Rivian can make the claims a reality, these other two trucks will be about 5 years out of the loop. With Rivian teaming up with Ford and Ford already having a dealer/warranty/fleet base, I find it hard to believe that Workhorse will do well. Think about it. If I could buy a Ford truck EV that can go 400 miles on a tank and the Workhorse can only go 310, I'd pick the Ford as i know that for my fleet that they will not be driving 400 miles per day doing local fleet work. Maybe Workhorse will team up with GM and go that route but i just find it to be a real hard sell to business owners when Rivian/Ford is coming right around the corner.

Workhorse had a great idea a few years ago but the market is changing and I feel that they are struggling to keep up with that unless they get a partner to make a big jump in range.

 

[Ty]

The main problem with the Workhorse and Bollinger is that if Rivian can make the claims a reality, these other two trucks will be about 5 years out of the loop. With Rivian teaming up with Ford and Ford already having a dealer/warranty/fleet base, I find it hard to believe that Workhorse will do well. Think about it. If I could buy a Ford truck EV that can go 400 miles on a tank and the Workhorse can only go 310, I'd pick the Ford as i know that for my fleet that they will not be driving 400 miles per day doing local fleet work. Maybe Workhorse will team up with GM and go that route but i just find it to be a real hard sell to business owners when Rivian/Ford is coming right around the corner.

Workhorse had a great idea a few years ago but the market is changing and I feel that they are struggling to keep up with that unless they get a partner to make a big jump in range.

PLUS, how long do you think it will be before Ford puts chargers at every dealer they own? GM has stated they will build a nation-wide charging network. Well, actually, they are having a third party company do it. Actually, that third party company is looking for investors to pay for the charging network they will build for GM... I suppose GM nor the third party company want to invest their own money in a charging network. It'll be interesting to see how Ford approaches this.

 

[bowers baldwin]

I don't know about a truck but I just bought my second electric vehicle, Hyundai Kona, 258 miles per charge! Guess I'd sell the Elio if it ever comes out.

 

[Coss]

What voltage is the charge? That extension cord doesn't look very heavy

 

[bowers baldwin]

What voltage is the charge? That extension cord doesn't look very heavy

That's just the 110v charger they give you with the car, I have to pull some 8 gauge wire to the corner of the house for a 40 amp charger.
I have a 16 amp charger for the Fiat, but my wife wont park in that spot. Get this, if I were to charge the Kona from 0% on 110v it would take over 60 hours!