• • • ELECTRIC VEHICLES • • •


Infrastructure Although the components that make up an electric truck are necessary to continue advancements, they are not the only important consideration. The infrastructure for electric trucks needs equal advancements for electric trucks to become more commonplace. The Government’s recent Net Zero strategy highlights the need for carbon neutral trucks but does not mention how they will make the infrastructure around the UK more electric truck friendly. Currently, the UK’s infrastructure readiness is


cause for some concern. The Climate Change Committee has stated that, to meet targets, there needs to be 150,000 points operating by 2025. Yet according to the UK’s Labour party, only 15% of that amount is in place, suggesting that these infrastructural advancements are needed urgently now. Charging electric trucks can cause problems


for the electrical grid through harmonic currents. Harmonics occur when charging electric trucks because frequencies can change within the electric distribution systems, which leads to voltage and current variations. This then leads to


electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk


increased stress on the grid as more electricity is being demanded from it. Harmonic distortions also cause damage to


electrical network infrastructure and the trucks being charged. The distortions cause the wires of the electrical grid to overheat due to the excess electricity flowing through them, with this elevated temperature accelerating the wear and deterioration of components. Electric trucks suffer a similar fate, as the


additional stress of increased electricity can overheat capacitors and transformers. By not focusing on infrastructural issues, both the infrastructure that exists and the vehicles that are needed become damaged. Fortunately, this can be prevented by using a


high quality harmonic filter, which administers the counteracting frequencies in order to clean the distortion from the electrical signal. REO UK offers the CNW 897 harmonic filter, which increases network stability while also increasing the reliability of electrical installations. By fixing these infrastructural problems, the stress on engineers to maximise every component will be reduced.


Although charging infrastructure is not


commonplace yet, it is important to note the difference types of charging available. Electric trucks have two different types of ‘fuel’ – AC and DC charging. AC charging can charge an electric truck in around 12 hours, so is more suited for overnight charging. DC charging can charge a truck faster, in around two hours, but by doing it too regularly can damage the battery as the current bypasses the onboard charging device. However, by offering even a few DC charging ports en route, trucks can quickly refill their battery. To achieve widespread use of electric trucks,


there needs to be charging infrastructure in place. Until this happens, extending the life of the batteries in the only way to get electric trucks on the road now. With electric trucks having the technology to allow them to recycle energy and maintain the battery integrity, there is the realistic possibility of electric trucks becoming more frequently seen on the road. By continuing advancements in electric vehicle design, there will be more opportunities for companies to make the switch now.


ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • MARCH 2022 33


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44