Edison Motors' Bold Approach to Vehicle Retrofitting

We delve into the innovative world of Edison Motors, a company that's challenging the norms of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Join us as we uncover their mission to transform how electric vehicles are utilized, especially in the realms of heavy-duty work like one-ton trucks, service, and welding trucks.

Edison Motors is not just about creating new vehicles; they're pioneering a movement against planned obsolescence in the EV space. They're empowering local garages and smaller shops with the knowledge and certification to work on electric vehicles, ensuring these skills don't remain exclusive to large dealerships.

In this video, we visit a potential goldmine for retrofit projects – the Ritchie Brothers' auction. Here, we explore the vast potential of turning old, worn-out trucks into efficient, hybrid-electric vehicles, giving them a new lease on life.

We also take a deep dive into the certification process for becoming an Edison Motors installer. This includes hands-on training with the Edison retrofit kit and understanding the nuances of EV technology.

Furthermore, we discuss how Edison Motors is not overextending by venturing into both semi-trucks and pickup truck kits. Their strategy revolves around economies of scale, making EV technology more affordable and accessible.

Our journey takes us to KeaBray Holdings, one of the first to sign up for Edison's installer program. We explore their facilities, discuss the technicalities of the retrofitting process, and understand how they plan to integrate this innovative technology into their operations.

Edison Motors isn't just creating a product; they're building a community and an ecosystem that supports growth, learning, and adaptation in the EV industry. This is more than a company; it's a vision for a future where electric vehicles are accessible, repairable, and beneficial to all sectors of society.

Join us as we take you through this incredible journey of innovation, empowerment, and sustainability with Edison Motors. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more updates on how Edison Motors is changing the face of the EV industry.

🚚 Edison Motors: By Truckers, For Truckers! 🚚

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🔧 Built by Truckers, for Truckers 🔧

Founded by Chace Barber and Eric Little in 2016, Edison Motors is a testament to the trucking spirit. Beginning with a 1969 Kenworth Logging Truck named "Old Blue," they journeyed from Merritt, BC, hauling logs to the Yukon and drilling rigs in Alberta. Frustrated with newer trucks, they rebuilt classics from the frame up, expanding into power generation and off-grid solar systems in 2019. Their journey led to the creation of the Edison Truck, a robust electric truck tailored to logging and heavy vocational industries.

🔩 Upgrade Without Replacing: Edison Electrification Kit 🔩

Keep trucks on the road longer with the Edison Electrification kit. Upgrade your driveline to electric without replacing the entire truck. Ideal for vocational applications, this kit is a cost-effective solution. Unlike other electric trucks, Edison Motors offers customer choice. Choose between Rebuilding (utilizing existing cab and frame rails) or Remanufacturing (brand new frame and chassis).

🚚 Payload Efficiency: The Weight Balance 🚚

Edison Trucks match the weight of a normal diesel truck. With reduced motor weight and additional fuel balancing out battery weight, experience efficiency and increased payload capacity. The L series, though slightly heavier, remains comparable to a normal diesel truck.

🛠️ Keep Your Equipment with Rebuilt Trucks 🛠️

For vocational trucks, keep your equipment with a rebuilt truck. Edison's e-pto and control system integrate seamlessly. No need to replace your entire body when upgrading to an electric truck.

🔧 Bespoke Manufacturing: Handcrafted to Your Needs 🔧

The manufacturing process at Edison Motors is a testament to their commitment to customer satisfaction. Each Edison Truck undergoes a meticulous five-step process, from frame and rolling chassis preparation to final touches and rigorous testing. The focus is on building a truck that reflects the customer's requirements, embracing the philosophy of "Building The Truck Of The Future With The Quality Of The Past."

🔌 Electric or Diesel-Electric: Your Power, Your Choice 🔌

Edison Motors offers both fully electric and diesel-electric vocational trucks based on customer demands. The onboard generator ensures continuous operation in areas lacking charging infrastructure.

💡 Advantages of Electric: Power, Torque, Longevity 💡

Edison Trucks bring increased power, torque, reliability, and longevity. Inspired by electric freight trains, regenerative ability harnesses energy for efficient uphill climbs

[melsjunk]

Edison is pretty smart having shops become installers for the reason edison is going to benefit from all the ideas and solutions these shops and mechanics will introduce.

[rainerbunn]

As a future young business owner, I hope Edison motors can shake the existing work truck industry with their ambition for electric/Diesel generator hybrid.

[richardryan]

With such a “grassroots” presence Edison Motors will garner loyalty from its customers.
With an excellent product and solid support from Edison Motors
the overall business will grow as needed, risk and reward will be shared and market share will be assured. Customers won’t be abandoned.

[TheNikitis]

I have a proposition for you. I agree with what you are saying. There's a range of vehicles you have not covered just yet. No one has, and you can be king of this market. The Skoolie community needs you. The only options left for buses are DEF and DPF engines which are costly. Gas motors don't work very well on Buses. We need an electric option that will work in a school bus. Most school buses are medium duty level trucks and if your kits can work in a medium duty truck like an International 3800, it should work with buses with a little more weight. We need the buses geared to drive 70 Mph tops. Some default go 50-70mph. Is this something that can be achieved? There's also plenty of room on buses to install large battery banks, and if there were kits where we could install into them, you'd have a market.

[scpvrr]

The best part of the video was seeing the propane idea wash over Chase. Inspiration is contagious.

[vvvci]

Great work, Chase - just building a functioning hybrid diesel-electric big truck system is ambitious enough, but you are also being AN AMBASSADOR of SANITY in a world gone amuck!
In an earlier video, you said SOME GUYS are REALLY GOOD at ANALYIZING THE CODING and ERROR MESSAGES of existing OEM software systems, and could patch a new hybrid system in to older truck's dashboards or even in to more recent model trucks that are already loaded with existing computer modules and CAN-bus systems.
WE NEED a DATABASE of these guys who are really good at, ace at at ANALYZING ELECTRONICS - sort of like an Angie's List, or yellow-pages for people seeking pro help in their area for either converting older trucks to hybrid electric-motors or just repairing today's overly complex software monstrosities. I know you have a couple of excellent guys writing code and integrating computer modules and electronic controls for Edison Motors!

[Dmbyers]

Thanks brother, it’s a real problem. I’m an independent heavy duty mechanic, and I’m no dummy. Working on EV’s wouldn’t be intimidating to me but the approach of companies to withhold technical info from repairer’s like me, or how companies like Hyundai make repairs more costly than a new vehicle costs makes repair impossible. I fear what this mentality will do to the commercial vehicle and equipment industries if and when it enters our space.

[billhill]

I really like the way Chace is blasting through the red tape of bigger companies. One thing I would suggest though is that they get some strong legal advice on their training liabilities. While Chace is simplifying the installation procedure in the video, the electrical industry has a lot of protocols that Edison will have to follow whether they like it or not.
I know Edison means well and I genuinely wish them every success. They have the potential to be an proper industry disruptor which is something that is long overdue. The last thing I want to see is Edison Motors get caught up in some legal issue because something went wrong with an installer job or someone got hurt. This company is on a roll and it needs to maintain it's momentum to be a success. All the best to Edison Motors. Can't wait for the next installment.

[Befread]

What I really like is that these parts can be easily replaced so that as battery technology improves you could just swap out the battery packs

[gravelrhoads]

Right. To. Repair. Everyone, whether you're in the US or Canada, talk to your government representatives and demand that they vote FOR right to repair. Apple, John Deere and increasingly, the auto industry want to take away your ability to work on things that you paid for. Edison Motors are pushing in the right direction and I wish them all the success!

[npsit]

Make your replacement parts (battery packs, chargers, controllers) as backwards compatible or at least direct replacement as possible for as long as possible because everyone hates buying an entirely new kit as new parts aren't compatible.

[KeithOlson]

Double-plaid and jeans making multi-million-dollar deals on a handshake and a given word. How wholesome and awesome is that?

[HANKTHEDANKEST]

Can you just imagine if every vehicle was a mobile genset? Seriously, say goodbye to blackouts--your car is a genny, go plug your house into the special plug it's got for just such an occasion. BIG air, BIG welders, all sorts of capabilities that normally required a specialized vehicle can now be made modular because the truck is the powerplant! That's just one little possibility in an ocean of possibilities, and you're right--it's frustrating seeing companies go about this in the wrong way. At least you guys are going about it the right way--you're living in the same future space as the rest of us who actually use our vehicles to make a living. "Can this make me more money/make my life easier?" is very different calculus for the end-user than it is for the corporate goobers who are responsible for the state of the automotive industry. Real change comes from REAL end-users saying "I can do this better" and that's what you guys are doing. Canadian captains of industry and I'm here for it.

[gaddicted]

I really hope Edison succeeds. The business case seems awesome, and makes sense.

[waterboyschmidt]

So glad I found one of your videos today, I have been saying this for years, this system is the most sensible for efficiency, function, and serviceability. I worked as a mechanic as a young man later studied and worked in electronics and later worked with high voltage. A reason trains adapted to it years ago, because it works so well. So glad to see your company making this product, I hope it takes off in the states. This could also be used as mobile generators for disaster areas/ the new standard tow trucks that can charge up dead battery only cars, , so many uses!

[jonahfastre]

I’d love to see a natural gas/propane hybrid semi, i truly believe it’s the pinnacle of fuel saving

[ZoeyR]

My 2006 scion xb has a custom drop arm in the rear. I have QS motor 12kw hub motors in the back combined with a 144v 100Ah battery setup. A custom controller and a fueltech aftermarket ECU it's a fully functional hybrid. The battery is purely charged at cruise on the freeway by adding a tiny bit of regen braking.
Changing to throttle by wire let's me intercept the peddle and use the electric for all acceleration demand, I went from 30mpg to 48mpg and around a 60mi ev only range at under 75mph

[motocache]

Thank you, you're taking an industry (modern automotive as a whole) that is enslaving people and putting power back into the people's hands. Exciting to see you guys pursuing the pick-up conversions, I hope to get a conversion done sometime in the future from one of your installers.

[johndenton]

And we're watching the next to be one of the largest EV companies yet, and to me the 1st one to make sense to both the buyers, but the servicing aspects as well. If you can still use a local place you trust after they are certified is a huge benefit to both the buyer and the service agency.

[DoRC]

This is awesome! Fundamentally an electric drivetrain is far more simple than an internal combustion drivetrain. Manufacturers are making them complicated because of safety regulations, customer expectations and like you said the desire to keep maintenance and repair in house.