Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - New mail truck prototype called electric but more like a Volt

Hersbird · 10-11-2017, 08:19 PM

They could pull the old bodies off and put a new powertrain and frame under them, like what Glacier National Park did with their famous red busses. The Grumman aluminum bodies are not in bad shape still. The new design calls for a bunch more space because of today's parcel volume though, If you look at the picture of the prototype it at first looks like similar proportions but look at the driver, the new van you can stand up inside and walk around. I'm not convinced the heavy parcel volume will be around for 20-30 years they probably expect these new vans to last. Amazon is already starting their own Uber like parcel delivery, and they are the biggest source. Also we can't afford to take them out of service to rebuild, we are short trucks every single day as it is.

The Wiki number for maintenance is right. It has got to the point where the engine and transmission rebuilders are having to use cores that are way out of re-buildable specs. Every one of our LLVs is on at least it's 2nd motor and 3rd or 4th transmission even with only around 100,000 miles total use. They sound like a diesel even with a fresh rebuild, and fires from fuel leaks and electrical shorts are too common.

10-11-2017, 08:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
Hersbird Master EcoModder Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Missoula, MT Posts: 2,653 Dark Egg - '12 VW Touraeg Thanks: 301 Thanked 1,178 Times in 807 Posts	They could pull the old bodies off and put a new powertrain and frame under them, like what Glacier National Park did with their famous red busses. The Grumman aluminum bodies are not in bad shape still. The new design calls for a bunch more space because of today's parcel volume though, If you look at the picture of the prototype it at first looks like similar proportions but look at the driver, the new van you can stand up inside and walk around. I'm not convinced the heavy parcel volume will be around for 20-30 years they probably expect these new vans to last. Amazon is already starting their own Uber like parcel delivery, and they are the biggest source. Also we can't afford to take them out of service to rebuild, we are short trucks every single day as it is. The Wiki number for maintenance is right. It has got to the point where the engine and transmission rebuilders are having to use cores that are way out of re-buildable specs. Every one of our LLVs is on at least it's 2nd motor and 3rd or 4th transmission even with only around 100,000 miles total use. They sound like a diesel even with a fresh rebuild, and fires from fuel leaks and electrical shorts are too common.