Diesel-Electric Retrofit Kit for Pickups - Everything You Want To Know

We're building a Diesel-Electric '95 Dodge RAM Pickup with @EdisonMotors

0:00 Diesel-Electric Pickup Kits
1:24 Diesel will not be going away
2:01 Who it Edison Motors
4:33 The first prototype
5:10 Diesel vs Electric
9:10 Why Hybrid?
10:33 What comes in the conversion kit?
12:07 Why E-axles?
13:47 Battery Longevity? Range?
16:25 EV Infrastructure
18:29 Onboard generator
20:14 How to get a kit
20:57 Finding a candidate for a prototype
23:51 The worst possible truck ever
26:21 Modern amenities / wiring
28:02 4WD conversion?
29:58 A revolutionary process

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411 Darling Rd, Canfield, ON Canada N0A 1C0

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[OnefastAZfarmtruck]

Locomotives are basically giant generators with incredible efficiency, it’s about time someone came out for this idea with a pickup. Finally some electric I can get behind!!

[kimmer]

I like diesels, lithium LFP batteries, oddball vehicles and such. I am a retired power generation engineer so these kinds of things interest me. I was hospitalized in January 2013. The older guy roommate had a daughter who worked at Tesla Fremont. She spent hours in our hospital room daily. I heard some engineering problems and solutions about Tesla EV's from her. I suggested building a small diesel electric ultra efficient on board charging system to add flexibility to the vehicle. Maximize all parameters on the engine to maintain the best most efficiency possible, cleanest exhaust, etc. Such a unit could recharge batteries in a parking lot while the vehicle was unattended. Capture its waste heat and use it to warm the car interior and the batteries for ultra low temperature operation. She flipped the hell out and said it was a stupid idea. Now you and Edison are doing it.

[stevenmitchell]

Back in the early 1980's, as a college engineering experiment, I put a 24kw propane genset for residential use and forklift motor and batteries into a crew cab, long bed, Ford dually diesel pickup truck. I also installed the battery charger for the forklift batteries, 240 volt required, to allow charging when parked. This was using all scrap yard components, except for the truck that I had purchased from a neighbor for $900 with a destroyed engine. It took the better part of a year to complete, but it worked as planned. It was capable of highway speeds, same load capacity as original, and got the equivalent of 35mpg, up from stock 10mpg on fuel that was half the price of diesel (or less). It burned cleaner, was quieter, and had no problems with cold weather conditions. The fuel was good for YEARS, basically forever, and there was no need for fuel additives to prevent gelling. I did put a thermostat controlled heat blanket around the propane tank for pressure needs if it was cold enough to require it. As it was in Texas, I never had to use the tank heater. I sold the rig to a rancher in south central Texas as I needed the money, and he had it! As of 1993, the last time I heard from him, it was still going strong. With modern batteries, motor, electronics, etc., it should be even better and more capable. I'm too old and am now too disabled to do it again. I would like to see someone do a similar build as this type of hybrid is quieter, cleaner, and more economical than any other fueled hybrid I'm aware of. Retired Industrial Design Engineer and "hobbyist" fabricator.

[marvelaturraz]

THIS IS AWESOME!! I've been calling for exactly this since '84-85!
Finally, SOMEBODY with the expertise and the forward-vision needed is making it happen!!! This is the best news I've heard in a long time.
I've got an old F600 that looks just like Mater in the movie "Cars" to restore, and I'd love to retrofit it with a kit like this. I do want it to be able to handle occasional heavy loads (like carrying boulders or concrete rubble) up to around 10K lbs., while pulling a trailer with a Bobcat. But looking at the rear end in his kit, it looks like it'd handle it. Of course I'd be driving gently on good roads if I'm overloaded like that, and not for very far.

[racekar]

Edison motors used the idea of diesel electric locomotives, and developed this idea for road vehicles. I actually think this is the future of electric heavy trucking.

[themistressjlu]

Need a kit for vans.
Older E-series vans, express vans, even the transits and sprinters.
2wd and 4wd versions would be sweet. Lots of service guys in vans would love having all the power they need with a built in generator as well.

[deeeeeds]

I'm so glad you're working with Edison to try and bring this retrofit kit to reality. I'm not the target market for a ≥ 3/4ton truck but if Edison ever considers making a smaller retrofit kit fit for something like a 1500/Ranger-sized truck, I'll be one of the first to sign up. I fall into that terrible "I don't need a truck 90% of the time but just enough every now and then to justify owning one" demographic and have been dying for some sort of innovation in this area that doesn't cost $100k.

[stevenberisford]

This is awesome. The only way to go electric. The instant torque, while eliminating range/charge anxiety. Keep up the innovation.

[Coondawgwoopwoop]

The positive comments for this idea and company warms my heart. Thought for sure people would hate on them but you guys rock

[spaniky]

I've been saying we need a diesel hybrid pickups for years. Please keep up the good work!

[mikehardin]

I swapped a Cummins R2.8 and 4L65E into a 1984 GMC C1500 and also a 6BT 12 Valve and Allison 5 SPD into a 1984 GMC C3500 Service body truck. Your channel encouraged me to do it.

[JohnMankin-ex]

In the late 70’s and the 80’s I managed an irrigated farm in Texas. We used Isuzu 6 cylinder non turbo engines to power our water pumps and generators to power the pivot sprinklers. We ran the, about 2000 hours a year. They were extremely fuel efficient (more so than other brands), and EXTREMELY reliable. Running 9 engines for four engines, I only had to replace an oil pan and 2 injector lines. They also make a turbo 4 cylinder.
So

[tedcook]

This is the kind of person that we need to lead the way forward in our automotive and trucking future! Common sense and the knowledge, skills, and background to back up what they say! Awesome!

[Sammoab]

I love this. I can’t afford a truck and I can’t afford a conversion but, I’ve been daydreaming about a conversion like this for years. I’m all for it!

[ACRAZYMNKEY]

You might find for future projects that European diesel engines used for tow-behind generators are quite efficient for what you're looking for in addition to being Tier IV and Tier V compliant. The Deutz 3.6 and 4.1, Hatz 4H50, and Kohler 3404 are all Tier IV or higher and hyper efficient on fuel. I work on all of these engines on a regular basis and I would say that the only one with questionable reliability is the Kohler. All of these can power 70 kw generators.
Yanmar and Isuzu also make very efficient small diesels but I am less familiar with them.
Depending on the power required to charge the batteries, the Deutz 2.9 might even be better suited for your application.

[josephmeyer-ng]

Wow guys I'm 65 auto machinist been in the industry since 16 I love your ideas and innovations keep it up billion dollar ideas I bet elon is proud of what you have done

[CathyInBlue]

I've always had a soft spot for classic vehicles in sci-fi sounding all futuristic, but looking all retro. The idea of a 40s Ford with an electric drive train just does something to me. I love it.

[TheCool]

I am glad to see that I wasn't crazy. When Hummer went out of business I had the thought to buy surplus Humvees and convert them to diesel electric. I imagined building a luxury Hummer for about 3/4 of the cost of the Hummers of the time. I currently work as a mechanic/technician for a manufacturer of rail maintenance equipment converted from new Cat equipment. We engineer everything from scratch. Just last month I was beating up our electrical engineers for more info on the formulas for what engine power was necessary to run a generator that can keep up with the output necessary of a daily driver pickup truck. Sounds like I had a good idea, just not the skills or initiative to follow through. :)

[justrideride]

Love the Pinky & The Brain reference. Seriously though Rich, this is fantastic that you’re going down this road. My father and I have talked about this and why it hasn’t been pursued so far. We only need to look at locomotives to know it works. I will be following along as it’s a phenomenal project and wish you every possible success.

[jmc]

I've only discovered you recently but I'm hooked. So excited that this is a Canadian Chanel. Your Hybrid truck is exactly what we need to develop for long term viability and to reduce emissions. I live in New Brunswick Can and will be watching.