Hino has announced an agreement that will see the truck maker use transmission maker Allison and as its e-Axle development partner for Class 6, 7 and 8 Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) trucks.
The two companies announced at the ACT Show in Long Beach that they have signed the framework for a comprehensive strategic Joint Collaboration Agreement (JCA) that they say will build on the long-standing partnership the two companies share with conventional transmissions.
The statement from the two companies said that through the agreement, Hino will integrate Allison’s eGen Power 100D e-Axles into its vehicles as the two companies collaborate to build what they say will be ‘a truly differentiated product for end users’.
The companies say that low volume production is intended to start in early 2023.
“This is an exciting development as we continue to expand our electrified product portfolio in support of our promise to provide the most reliable and valued propulsion solutions in the world,” said for Allison’s vice president of North America Sales, global channel and aftermarket, Rohan Barua.
“We are pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with Hino Trucks in delivering innovative solutions for our mutual customers.
“Just as the Allison 2000 and 3000 Series are the standard transmission offering in the conventional diesel-powered Hino vehicles, the next generation of Allison commercial EV powertrains will power Hino’s BEV trucks, delivering the same proven performance, reliability and durability that the combination of the Hino-Allison brands represent,” Barua said.
Hino announced its Project Z in October last year and it has continued collaborating with Allison to design BEV solutions for the North America Medium and Heavy Duty commercial vehicle market.
Allison said that as a part of the work being undertaken with Hino and other customers, it announced the launch of its new e-Axle, which will be added to its eGen Power family – the eGen Power 100S.
The company says its eGen Power 100S incorporates several of the core components offered in the eGen Power 100D, but packages these elements into a lighter and more compact design best suited for class 6 and 7 medium-heavy vehicles, along with a tandem configuration for heavy duty class 8 6×4 trucks.
Under the terms of the JCA, Allison said Hino will be the first global OEM to integrate the eGen Power 100S, ensuring a partnership in Class 6 through Class 8 vehicles.
“We are pleased to formalize our collaboration with Allison on the integration of their eGen Power electric axles into Hino’s class 6, 7 and 8 BEV line up,” said Hino’s senior vice president of customer experience, Glenn Ellis.
“It is especially exciting to be the first OEM to integrate the eGen Power 100S into our class 6 and 7 BEV trucks, representing another critical step in Hino’s Project Z, Path to Zero initiative we announced late last year.
“Whether our conventional diesel-powered products or our next generation electric propulsion platforms, our mutual customers expect reliable and durable solutions from the Hino and Allison partnership. I’m confident we’ll continue to deliver that promise,” Ellis added.
The company said its eGen Power 100S complements the eGen Power 100D and the eGen Power 130D, expanding its e-Axle portfolio to cover multiple vehicle applications across medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
The single and dual motors respectively integrate with a multi-speed transmission, eliminating the need for additional driveshafts and support structures. With each motor capable of delivering continuous power of 212 kilowatts and peak output power of 324 kilowatts, and claims the eGen Power 100S, 100D and 130D are among the most power-dense propulsion solutions in their classes.
Allison claims the architecture is tuned for high gradeability and high top speed without sacrificing efficiency, maximizing vehicle range and minimizing downtime during charging. It also adds that the eGen Power product family is designed with fleet customers in mind and are engineered to be 100 per cent maintenance-free for the life of the vehicle, which it says significantly reduces downtime and enhances its total cost of ownership advantage.
