ACT Expo Round-up: Keynotes, DTNA, Dana Inc., Accelera, Sea Electric, Sibros, Navistar & Phoenix

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ACT Expo is coming to the Anaheim Convention this week. The event expanded from the Long Beach Convention to offer more space for exhibitors, rides and drives.

Featuring numerous product debuts and major industry announcements, ACT Expo provides a unique opportunity to network with the most influential thought leaders and progressive fleets in commercial transportation.

Here is what is expected at the be seen and heard.

Keynote Speakers John O’Leary, Jim Kamsickas & Amy Davis

John O’Leary, president and CEO of Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), to the stage as its opening keynote speaker on Monday May 1.

O’Leary’s keynote on Monday, May 1, will be followed by the debut of the 2023 State of Sustainable Fleets market brief report, which will highlight key trends and the ever-increasing clean vehicle adoption plans of fleets across the nation. Along with Shell and Penske Transportation Solutions, DTNA is both a presenting sponsor of ACT Expo and the State of Sustainable Fleets report.

DTNA is North America’s largest manufacturer of Class 5-8 commercial vehicles and aims to offer an exclusively CO2-neutral new vehicle product line by 2039. O’Leary will discuss the ways DTNA is supporting the nation’s fleet in the drive for increased environmental sustainability, and explain the pressing need for more zero-emission fueling and charging infrastructure, which must scale rapidly across North America to match the need for more zero-emission hydrogen and battery-electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

On Tuesday, O’Leary will set the stage for the reveal of a new battery-electric vehicle from DTNA taking place in the ACT Expo exhibit hall on May 2.

Jim Kamsickas, chairman and CEO, Dana Incorporated is expected to speak on Day Two.

Kamsickas will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the commercial vehicle market as it moves toward adopting low- and zero-emission solutions, helping attendees gain perspective on the latest factors affecting their fleets when he takes the stage act this year’s event.

A global leader in drivetrain and e-Propulsion systems, Dana engineers, manufactures, and distributes power-conveyance and energy-management solutions for commercial vehicles. The company has actively worked towards creating a more sustainable future, taking strategic steps toward minimizing the environmental impact of its operations, supply chain, and vehicle component product line.

Amy Davis, president of Accelera™ by Cummins, is the opening keynote address for the third day

Davis will share how Accelera, Cummins Inc.’s zero-emission technology brand, is accelerating the shift to sustainable commercial transportation and scaling the required infrastructure.

Cummins launched Accelera in March as the next step in its Destination Zero sustainability strategy. Accelera’s 2,000-plus employees will continue to advance breakthrough technologies and accelerate Cummins’ progress in reducing emissions over the past 25 years.

Notable projects underway at Accelera include supplying a 90-megawatt proton exchange membrane electrolyzer system in Quebec, Canada, which will provide green hydrogen used to turn non-recyclable waste into biofuels; and powering a new fleet of 1,000 electric school buses across the U.S. during the next 12-18 months to prevent 10,600 metric tons of harmful carbon emissions.

Available During Ride & Drive: Ride & Drive Hours

Tuesday, May 2, 2023 —12:00pm – 1:00pm Press/Media Only

1:00pm – 5:00pm Fleet Attendees Only

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

10:00am – 2:00pm Fleet Attendees Only

2:00pm – 5:00pm Open to All Attendees

2023 Ride & Drive Vehicles

  • Accelera by Cummins- Accelera Battery Electric Truck
  • BrightDrop- ZEVO 600
  • BYD Motors- 8TT Battery Electric Truck
  • BYD Motors – All-Electric Class 8 Daycab
  • Cummins – Class 8 Truck Powered by X15N
  • Daimler Truck North America – Freightliner eCascadia, Freightliner eM2, Freightliner MT50e
  • GreenPower Motors – EV Star All-Electric Shuttle Van
  • Hyliion – Class 8 Hybrid Truck, Hypertruck ERX Development Truck
  • Hyundai – Class 8 XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck
  • Hyzon Motors – Hydrogen Fuel Cell-Powered Truck
  • IC Bus – CE Series Electric School Bus
  • International Truck – eMV™ Series
  • Kenworth Truck Company – Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck
  • Kenworth Truck Company – K270E Battery Electric
  • Lightning eMotors – ZEV3 Ambulance Van
  • Lion Electric – Lion6 All-Electric Battery Truck
  • Nikola Corporation – Tre BEV Battery Electric Semi-Truck, Tre FCEV Fuel-Cell Electric Semi-Truck
  • Peterbilt Motors Company –  220 Electric Vehicle, 579 Electric Vehicle
  • SEA Electric – Hino M5 EV
  • Workhorse – W56 All-Electric Step Van

SEA-Drive 250 in Many Configurations

The SEA-Drive® 250 model (and the option RE model) is the perfect solution for vehicles with a GVWR/GCWR of up to 80,000lbs (36,250kg), in Class 8 rigid or day-cab configurations, which will be presented on the SEA Electric booth at the ACT Expo.

In a major change, SEA Electric intends to pair the power-system with a 45kW hydrogen fuel cell, extending potential range, with the architecture set to have far-reaching implications in the sector.

The new designation for the SEA-Drive® power-system joins other solutions developed by SEA Electric, namely the SEA-Drive® 70, 100, 120 and 180, which have been proven in the field with over 2 million miles of real-world use in a range of truck, bus and light commercial applications.

Featuring all of the market-leading attributes of the other systems available, the SEA-Drive® 250 will feature maximum power of 670hp (500kW) and peak torque of 4,579 lb-ft (6,200Nm), with power drawn from a 250kWh battery pack.

“The SEA-Drive® 250 RE represents a major breakthrough for SEA Electric in our efforts to electrify the world’s commercial transport fleet,” said Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric Founder and CEO.

“The power-system is perfectly suited to the rigors of lighter duty refuse collection, with the platform already proven in other deployments in the space via pure-battery powered configurations.

“For SEA Electric, this new product combination offers us the opportunity to branch out into some fantastic new areas and applications, which can now benefit from our leadership in the industry, such as day-cab and drayage tractor applications.

“In regards to the refuse industry, the SEA-Drive® 250 RE will allow us to provide a solution for 95 per cent of the market via any chassis combination.

“The combination of battery electric with the optional fuel cell extender will optimize weight and cost, whilst delivering the full fleet duty-cycle requirements, with performance that has never been seen before in this segment.

“One of the competitive advantages of the SEA-Drive® power-system is that all ancillary functions are completely electrified, with all hydraulics systems involved in the compacting and operation of the refuse body completely managed by the integrated systems.

“What this means is that noisy refuse trucks will be a thing of the past, which is sure to be welcomed by anyone living in an urban environment.”

Sibros Connected Vehicle Platform

Connected vehicle platform company, Sibros will be in Booth #6950 at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo.

Sibros’ connected vehicle platform works with global original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) connected vehicle ecosystems by connecting and managing all software updates, data collection and remote diagnostics through one unified platform. The company’s fully connected vehicle fleet technology provides smart transportation solutions to bring customized, safe and sustainable vehicles to the world.

In September 2021, Sibros announced a strategic partnership with Volta Trucks to provide connected software-based solutions for the all-electric Volta Zero. The partnership provides end-to-end software, data solutions including access to driver alerts, charging infrastructure, over-the-air (OTA) updates for navigation and maintenance data positioning Volta Trucks at the forefront of smart transportation.

Guided Walk-Around Tours – Wednesday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT at the Volta Trucks Booth #6895
Sibros will co-host guided tours of the Volta Zero, the world’s first purpose-built all-electric truck, to showcase the key features of the vehicle along with the importance of digital and connected capabilities provided by Sibros.

Deep Connected Platform Demonstrations at the Sibros Booth #6950
Join Sibros for a closer look at how its Deep Connected Platform is powering the connected vehicle ecosystem and providing OEMs with a full suite of embedded software, telematics, network stacks and SaaS applications. Sibros will dive into how automotive software and data can work seamlessly together to improve product quality and functionality across the full lifecycle.

To meet with the Sibros executives and experience the Deep Connected Platform during ACT Expo, visit the Sibros booth #6950.

Daimler RIZON

The Daimler Truck group (“Daimler Truck”) announces the launch of a line of electric trucks in the US market under the new brand name RIZON. The RIZON brand and its vehicle offerings will be presented to the public for the first time at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, scheduled to run from May 1-4, 2023 in Anaheim, California.

RIZON delivers customer-focused zero-emission trucks and mobility solutions from one of the world’s largest and most experienced commercial vehicle manufacturers, Daimler Truck. RIZON’s identity is rooted in the brand’s commitment to form a partnership with business owners as they shift to zero-emission transportation. Fleet owners and truck drivers will be comprehensively supported through an experienced dealership network offering a range of services that help deliver the seamless experience customers expect from Daimler Truck’s brands. Consulting on AC and DC charging as well as telematics access will be available. Flexible financing is provided by Daimler Truck Financial Services.

Three model variants, the e18L, e16L, and the e16M, will be the first trucks available under the RIZON brand. The brand will offer a versatile mix of configurations and options suitable to each customer’s unique requirements to optimize day-to-day operations and productivity. The class 4 and 5 medium-duty battery-electric vehicles, ranging from 15,995 up to 17,995 lbs in gross vehicle weight (GVW), are able to run from 110 -160 miles for L size variant with 3 battery packs) and 75 -110 miles (for M size variant with 2 battery packs) on a single charge*. These trucks are ideally suited to a variety of applications such as dry vans, flatbeds, landscape dumps, and reefers. All RIZON trucks are built using proven quality assurance standards developed by Daimler Truck and in practice at more than 40 manufacturing locations around the world.

Daimler &  NextEra Greelane

Daimler Truck North America, LLC (DTNA), NextEra Energy Resources, LLC and BlackRock Alternatives, through a fund managed by its Climate Infrastructure business (BlackRock), today announced Greenlane™, the name of their joint venture to design, develop, install and operate a U.S. nationwide, high-performance zero-emission public charging and hydrogen fueling network for medium- and heavy-duty battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. They also unveiled renderings of the site layout as a major milestone in the development of the project.

Greenlane™ addresses the urgent need for a publicly available, nationwide electric charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles, especially for long-haul freight operations, and is a critical step toward developing a sustainable zero-emission vehicle ecosystem across North America.

The more than $650 million joint venture has made significant progress since its inception in 2022. Greenlane’s first site will be in Southern California, and multiple additional sites are being acquired along various freight routes. The joint venture team is collaborating on the necessary infrastructure to holistically deploy the charging network. Dedicated software and hardware teams are working on developing a custom, commercial vehicle reservation platform to provide fleet managers, dispatchers and drivers with an industry-leading customer experience.

The network of charging sites will be built on critical freight routes along the east and west coasts and in Texas. Where synergistic, Greenlane™ will leverage existing infrastructure and amenities while also adding complementary greenfield sites to fulfill anticipated customer demand. Greenlane’s initial focus will be on battery-electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, followed by hydrogen fueling stations for fuel cell trucks, with plans to expand access to light-duty vehicles in the future to serve the greater goal of electrifying mobility.

Navistar eMV

Navistar announces the delivery of the first International® eMV™ Series with ePower to Sysco, a leading global foodservice distribution company. The companies jointly will partner to accelerate sustainability efforts in the Class 6 all-electric refrigerated straight truck segment.

The International eMV Series was first introduced at ACT Expo in 2021. With the availability of the factory-installed ePower and electric power take-off (ePTO) electrical system options, fleets now have the ability to spec International eMV Series Class 6 and 7 battery electric trucks for additional market applications.

The ePower option pulls power directly from the electric vehicle’s battery pack and is the foundation for electric transport refrigeration unit (eTRU) applications. The eTRU is an especially important solution to help customers meet sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.

“We worked closely with transport refrigeration unit partner Thermo King and body builder Morgan Truck Body to ensure optimal integration of ePower,” said Debbie Shust, VP, Medium-Duty Truck Business, Navistar. “It’s a proud moment to be able to demonstrate this first eTRU in the market on an electric vehicle alongside Sysco.”

This partnership supports both Navistar and Sysco’s science-based climate goals. Sysco will meet its goal, in part, by electrifying 35% of the company’s U.S. fleet by 2030, or the equivalent of adding 2,800 electric vehicles.

“As the global foodservice leader, Sysco is proud to partner with Navistar, Thermo King and Morgan Truck Body to pilot the first all-electric Class 6 refrigerated straight truck,” said Marie Robinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, Sysco. “Collaboration with like-minded OEMs is required to further advance fleet electrification in our industry and meet our goal of reducing operational emissions by 27.5% by 2030.”

Through this partnership, Navistar and Sysco will pilot an International eMV Series with ePower which will be on display in Thermo King Booth 5484 during the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Conference at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. on May 1-4.

The International eMV Series will also be available to experience first-hand at the ACT Expo Ride and Drive.

Phonenix Gen 4

Phoenix Motor Inc. (the “Company” or “Phoenix”) (Nasdaq: PEV), a leader in manufacturing of all-electric, medium-duty vehicles, will be exhibiting its new Gen 4 medium-duty electric drive system for fleet service at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center, next Monday through Thursday, May 1-4 at booth #5364.

The Phoenix engineering team refined the new chassis layout to optimize space for the newly designed battery packs that are fastened towards the front and rear of the frame rails. The new Gen 4 design increases ground clearance, making it more favorable for fleets and depot hubs where various road conditions can be an issue.

Phoenix’s Gen 4 vehicles will initially be equipped with a 90-kWh battery pack offering up to 150-mile range and can be fully charged in one to two hours with a 100-kW Level III charger. These new vehicles are expected to reduce atmospheric emissions by ~61 tons per vehicle annually, reduce maintenance costs by 75% and lower fuel costs by 80%, all compared to their equivalent internal combustion engine vehicles. Charging options are also available including V2G (vehicle to grid) and wireless charging.

Phoenix Motorcars will also be unveiling and performing live demonstrations of its new Phoenix Exchange battery swap station at a special event at its corporate headquarters in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 3rd following the ACT Expo at 5:30 pm. This new battery swap station has the ability to swap a 90-kWh battery system in under one minute, providing “unlimited mile range” for active fleets and last mile delivery service providers. Please contact us at the email addresses below to learn more about the event on May 3rd.

“Phoenix Motorcars is thrilled to be showcasing its new Gen 4 vehicle at the ACT Expo and inviting interested parties that want to see and learn more about its new battery swap station offering to a special event at our headquarters,” commented Dr. Lance Zhou, CEO of Phoenix Motorcars.

The Phoenix management team will be present at the ACT Expo for meetings, Q&A and information sessions.

Prior to the Event Xos Revealed Second Generation Xos Hub

Xos, Inc., a leading electric truck manufacturer and fleet services provider, today unveiled the second generation Xos Hub™ (“the Hub”), a rapidly deployable, mobile charging solution that enables flexible and scalable access to DC fast charging without the need for permanent infrastructure.

The second generation Hub features integrated battery storage with an energy capacity of 390 kWh and an increase in charger output by 60%, from 25kW to 40kW, resulting in faster charge times for EVs. The five CCS 1 chargeheads enable the Hub to charge up to five electric vehicles at once and are compatible with both commercial and passenger electric vehicles.

Additional features of the Hub include a 43% shorter footprint than its predecessor, from 28’ to 16’, and enhanced safety features such as the addition of circuit protection and an emergency stop button. The introduction of software and a telematics device help determine the best charging times for the Hub based on off-peak and peak hours, enabling a full charge in five hours and helping mitigate electricity costs.

“We consistently hear from our customers that charging infrastructure remains the biggest barrier to taking delivery of our electric vehicles, so we’re incredibly excited to introduce the new Xos Hub and provide an easy, available, and mobile solution for DC fast charging,” said Danny Marquez, Director of Xos Energy Solutions and Products at Xos. “The Hub is an ideal solution for fleets that will help alleviate infrastructure delays and accelerate widespread fleet electrification.”

The second generation Xos Hub was designed, engineered, and tested over a 12-month period with customer feedback and requirements in mind. Similar to the recently launched 2023 Xos Stepvan, technology highlights on the Hub include over-the-air software updates and seamless integration with the Xosphere® fleet management platform.

“We designed and built the second generation Xos Hub to fit an important need of our customers for flexible, scalable, and quick-to-deploy charging infrastructure,” said Scott Zion, Head of Engineering at Xos. “To ensure the Hub’s reliability and durability, we conducted comprehensive testing of electrical, thermal, and vibrational components to confirm a robust product that can be safely transported from site to site while protecting the internal batteries and power electronics.”

Additional testing is underway to make the Hub eligible for federal and state funding. Currently, the first unit of the second generation Xos Hub is in operation with a major parcel delivery operator in Northern California.