 | |
| Company type | Limited |
|---|---|
| Industry | Truck manufacturing |
| Founded | 2021; 3 years ago (2021) |
| Founders | Chace Barber Eric Little |
| Headquarters | Merritt, British Columbia, Canada |
| Number of employees | 13 |
| Website | edisonmotors |
Edison Motors is a Canadian electric truck manufacturing startup based in British Columbia, specializing in diesel-electric plug-in hybrid technology for semi-truck prime-mover tractor units, full-size solid axle drive trucks, and heavy solid-axle pickups; combining a generator with electric drive motors and batteries. The company was founded in October of 2021 by Eric Little and Chace Barber and is a spin-off of SEI Logistics, a solar energy innovations company.
Founded with the idea to use train locomotive diesel-electric technology on forestry logging trucks, where climbing mountains empty and coming down fully loaded would make a net-zero energy use, with downhill regen recharging the battery power used to climb, and electric torque would obviate needing a giant diesel engine, diesel generators and large truck diesel tanks would make range anxiety a non-issue.
History
The company was founded in October of 2021 by Eric Little and Chace Barber.
Late 2023 to early 2024, following an inability to secure property for a factory in Merritt, plans were announced to move operations into a former Hayes truck factory in Terrace. However these plans were canceled after being unable to secure proper zoning.
May 2024, Edison held an electric go-kart build challenge and competition for secondary students called 'Edison Motors High School EV Challenge' with plans for it to become an annual event.
April 2024, concerns from Edison lead to a auditor general investigation into potential conflict of interest with the CleanBC grant program and its administrator MNP LLP who also offers grant consulting.
December 2024, Announced that a new property in the unincorporated community of Donald, British Columbia has been acquired for manufacturing and testing.
Prototypes
Carl
A 1962 Kenworth LW 924 needle-nose truck unit. Converted to diesel-electric using a 3306 Caterpillar diesel generator, becoming the prototype blue truck called Carl. This became the first semi-truck in the world to run on a diesel-electric powertrain, similar to that found on locomotive train engines. Finished in September 2022, it is the initial proof-of-concept engineering prototype.
Topsy
A custom-built, from the frame-on-up concept production working prototype, Topsy, named after the elephant. Demonstrates the anticipated truck design, with prototype production drive train, and all up off-the-shelf components, with prototype frame rails. Finished September 2023.
Pickup kit
There are five pickup truck conversion prototypes currently in development; an International, Dodge, Ford and Toyota plus one currently undisclosed.
Edison has partnered with Deboss Garage out of Canfield, ON, convert a stock second generation 2 wheel drive 1995 Dodge Ram 2500 to a 4-wheel drive with an Edison diesel-electric drivetrain. Additionally Deboss is converting a Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, both are receiving a 2.8L Cummins diesel generator. Edison has partnered with Keabray Holdings Ltd. out of Drayton Valley, AB to convert a 2007 Ford F450 service truck, while Edison itself is converting a 1945 International K5 and the undisclosed pickup.
Production
Production began in 2024 with orders from clients for various truck types. The first production wave will have 5 trucks built, 2 tri-drive oil fields winch tractor truck, a tandem highway snow plow, a tri-drive with quad wagon for logging, plus a undisclosed truck. The plow is projected to provide a 30% fuel efficiency and have a CO2 reduction of 20 tons.
References
- Schaefer, Chelsey. "Edison Motors retrofits engines for the future". Valley City Times. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- McIntyre, Gordon (2022-10-07). "Merritt firm producing diesel-electric hybrid trucks for logging industry". Vancouver Sun.
- Link, Rod (9 May 2024). "Public hearing set for electric vehicle company rezoning request". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- Smith, James (17 June 2024). "Strong finish for North Delta school at electric go-kart contest". Cloverdale Reporter. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- Wood, Graeme (8 April 2024). "Small B.C. electric truck company's concerns lead to auditor general investigation". Vancouver Is Awesome. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- Van Evra, Jennifer (2024-10-18). "Business Climate: Merritt-based Edison Motors is powering a push toward cleaner semi trucks". BC Business.
- Edison Motors RetroFit Pickup Trucks: International, Dodge & Ford F450. YouTube. 2024-02-22.
- Jacobs, Caleb (2024-01-05). "This Company Plans To Make Diesel-Electric Conversion Kits for Old Pickups". The Drive.
- "Worlds First Diesel Electric SnowPlow". YouTube. 26 October 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
External links
- Official website: https://www.edisonmotors.ca/
- Edison Motors's channel on YouTube