Purolator, Canada’s largest overnight courier company, introduced the Quicksider, a prototype all-electric, lightweight urban delivery vehicle. The Quicksider will be tested and evaluated for performance on the streets of Toronto.
The Quicksider has a one-piece fiberglass body and stainless steel chassis. Cargo capacity is 10% more than a conventional 16′ step van. The electric motors in the powertrain deliver a combined 230 hp (172 kW), and are currently powered by a sodium nickel chloride battery pack. Minimum range is 65 km (40 miles), with a top speed of 110 kph (65 mph). The Quicksider also offers other operation-enhancing features including automatic doors, a tighter turning ratio and pneumatic suspensions that enable the truck to kneel to curb level to unload packages. Preliminary design work on the Quicksider first began at Unicell in 2000. Drivetrain systems manufacturer ArvinMeritor joined the project team in 2004 to design and build the electric axle drivetrain, regenerative braking system, and system integration of motors, gears and controls for a working prototype vehicle.
In a parallel project, Electrovaya—also a partner in the Quicksider program—is developing a version of its lithium-ion polymer battery system for application in the lightweight urban delivery vehicle.
Other countries:
Japan Post Group is transitioning 21,000 delivery vehicles to electric vehicles
The British Royal Mail has 33,000 vehicles to change.
France’s postal service, La Poste, announced 10,000 electric delivery vehicles are being purchased.
– from greencarcongress