How electric trucks became all the rage this year
It’s been a great year for trucking and next year will be even better
Notable truck investments in 2021
You couldn’t move in 2021 for news of truck investments.Well, they’re so many that we’re gonna focus on the most notable:
Rivianraised a massive $11.9 billion in its initial public offering(IPO). This was the biggest in 2021 and the sixth-largest ever on a US exchange. It trumps Uber, which raised $8.1 billion in 2019. However, Rivian’s Novembertrading experienceswere less than stellar, and the issue of getting trucks manufactured and to customers remains a pain point.
The challenge will be if Rivian can keep manufacturing up with an influx of orders, especially given thesupply chain problemsandsemiconductor shortage…
Also in November:
Trucks go green, but we need to power them
Trucks and range anxiety is a real thing. We not only need a truckload (excuse the pun) of battery innovation but adequate access to trucking chargers as well.
We also need the evolution/transformation of transport infrastructure.According to Aaron Gillmore, CEO ofWAVE:
He further noted that the challenges of increasing range with additional costly, heavy, and progressively supply-constrained batteries will lead to new innovative approaches to range extension.
These include high power wireless charging — placed strategically for creating EV fleets that can run at a virtual perpetual state of charge, and support 24/7 continuous operations.
Solar and hydrogen show their green cred
Companies are also investing in solar and hydrogen fuel cells.
Worksporthas created a solar-chargingtruckbed cover (or tonneau), called TerraVis.The company is partnering with EV truck companies Hercules and Atlis to configure the TerraVis system for their pickup trucks.
The company is also engaged in innovating and designing high-efficiency, affordable hydrogen fuel cells to fast charge battery electric vehicles.Steven Rossi, CEO of Worksport shared:
In September, Hyundaiannounced its Hydrogen Vision 2040at an online event calledHydrogen Wave. The company aims to become the first automaker to apply fuel cell systems to all commercial vehicle models by 2028.
Two months later, California announced a three-year $1.4 billion hydrogen fueling and electric truck charging infrastructure investment.
And in December, Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and the TRATON GROUP signed a binding agreementto create a joint ventureto install and operate a high-performance public charging network for battery electric, heavy-duty long-haul trucks, and coaches across Europe.
The same month,WattEVunveiled America’s first publicly available solar-powered electrical truck stop for heavy-duty electric trucks in California.
Autonomous trucks are the future
Expect to see plenty of noise in 2022 about autonomous trucks. This includes interest in automation in response to driver shortages. In December,Embarkannounced its expansion into Texas and the launch of a new autonomous trucking lane between Houston and San Antonio.
My list of companies to watch in 2022 include:
Labor challenges and shortages persist
In the US,driver age laws are changingto allow 18-year-olds to drive trucks across states with an apprenticeship program for young drivers starting in early 2022.
According to Timothy J. Henry, CEO, and Co-Founder ofHaul:
The elephant in the room is Nikola
It’s hard to know what to say about Nikola. Thefraud allegationsplaguing the electric hydrogen truck company range from amusing to appalling.
In December, Nikolaagreed to pay $125 millionover two years to settle a Securities and Exchange Commission complaint over fraud claims against disgraced founder Trevor Milton.
Milton ‘did a Theranos’ and misled investors, but is free on $100 million bail at the time of writing. His trial is set for April 4, 2022, in New York. His actions included pushing a truck down a hill to pretend it was “fully operational.”
The Tesla Cybertruck is slated for a 2022 release but Elon Musk said on Twitter in November:
But, if all things go to plan we’ll see Tesla’s cybertruck,the Ford F-150 Lightning, and GM’s Chevy Silverado shipping to customers in 2022. Watch this space, things are going to get interesting.
Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin. She focuses on all things mobility: ebikes, autonomous vehicles, VTOL, smart ci(show all)Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin. She focuses on all things mobility: ebikes, autonomous vehicles, VTOL, smart cities, and the future of alternative energy sources like electric batteries, solar, and hydrogen.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.
Related Articles
More TNW
About TNW
March
June
August
November
Rivianraised a massive $11.9 billion in its initial public offering(IPO). This was the biggest in 2021 and the sixth-largest ever on a US exchange. It trumps Uber, which raised $8.1 billion in 2019. However, Rivian’s Novembertrading experienceswere less than stellar, and the issue of getting trucks manufactured and to customers remains a pain point.
The challenge will be if Rivian can keep manufacturing up with an influx of orders, especially given thesupply chain problemsandsemiconductor shortage…
Also in November:
December
Trucks and range anxiety is a real thing. We not only need a truckload (excuse the pun) of battery innovation but adequate access to trucking chargers as well.
We also need the evolution/transformation of transport infrastructure.According to Aaron Gillmore, CEO ofWAVE:
He further noted that the challenges of increasing range with additional costly, heavy, and progressively supply-constrained batteries will lead to new innovative approaches to range extension.
These include high power wireless charging — placed strategically for creating EV fleets that can run at a virtual perpetual state of charge, and support 24/7 continuous operations.
Companies are also investing in solar and hydrogen fuel cells.
Worksporthas created a solar-chargingtruckbed cover (or tonneau), called TerraVis.The company is partnering with EV truck companies Hercules and Atlis to configure the TerraVis system for their pickup trucks.
The company is also engaged in innovating and designing high-efficiency, affordable hydrogen fuel cells to fast charge battery electric vehicles.Steven Rossi, CEO of Worksport shared:
In September, Hyundaiannounced its Hydrogen Vision 2040at an online event calledHydrogen Wave. The company aims to become the first automaker to apply fuel cell systems to all commercial vehicle models by 2028.
Two months later, California announced a three-year $1.4 billion hydrogen fueling and electric truck charging infrastructure investment.
And in December, Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and the TRATON GROUP signed a binding agreementto create a joint ventureto install and operate a high-performance public charging network for battery electric, heavy-duty long-haul trucks, and coaches across Europe.
The same month,WattEVunveiled America’s first publicly available solar-powered electrical truck stop for heavy-duty electric trucks in California.
Expect to see plenty of noise in 2022 about autonomous trucks. This includes interest in automation in response to driver shortages. In December,Embarkannounced its expansion into Texas and the launch of a new autonomous trucking lane between Houston and San Antonio.
My list of companies to watch in 2022 include:
In the US,driver age laws are changingto allow 18-year-olds to drive trucks across states with an apprenticeship program for young drivers starting in early 2022.
According to Timothy J. Henry, CEO, and Co-Founder ofHaul:
It’s hard to know what to say about Nikola. Thefraud allegationsplaguing the electric hydrogen truck company range from amusing to appalling.
In December, Nikolaagreed to pay $125 millionover two years to settle a Securities and Exchange Commission complaint over fraud claims against disgraced founder Trevor Milton.
Milton ‘did a Theranos’ and misled investors, but is free on $100 million bail at the time of writing. His trial is set for April 4, 2022, in New York. His actions included pushing a truck down a hill to pretend it was “fully operational.”
The Tesla Cybertruck is slated for a 2022 release but Elon Musk said on Twitter in November:
But, if all things go to plan we’ll see Tesla’s cybertruck,the Ford F-150 Lightning, and GM’s Chevy Silverado shipping to customers in 2022. Watch this space, things are going to get interesting.
