Companies collaborate on pilot program to
increase zero-emissions capabilities
for medium-duty vehicles
LIVONIA, Mich., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Linamar
Corporation (TSX: LNR) has entered the evaluation phase for the
first Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Delivery Vans in their technology
contract with the Center for Transportation and the Environment
(CTE). CTE is managing the Next Generation Fuel Cell Delivery Van
Deployment Project for the California Air Resources Board (CARB),
awarded to accelerate the adoption of clean freight transportation
technologies. Linamar has partnered with Roush CleanTech and
Ballard Power Systems to provide complete turn-key FCEV package
delivery vans to UPS for an in-revenue service demonstration in
California.
The CARB Project includes developing, validating and deploying
four fuel cell hybrid electric delivery vans. This is part of
California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts
billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, strengthen the economy, and improve public health and
the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.
"The strength of CTE's project lies in its team member
experience with advanced vehicle manufacturing, utilization of
proven, off-the-shelf components, participation of UPS as the fleet
operator and deployment partner, and the propulsion system's
commercialization potential," said Dan
Raudebaugh, executive director of CTE, a non-profit,
Atlanta-based organization that
develops, promotes and implements advanced transportation
technologies.
Over the past decade, Linamar has made a substantial investment
in automotive and commercial vehicle eAxle design, development and
testing at its Livonia, Michigan,
McLaren Engineering operations, as well as its McLaren Engineering
centers in Germany and
China. This has resulted in a
market leader position in integrated eAxle systems.
"Linamar is excited by the market opportunities in supplying
electrified vehicles and has significantly increased its portfolio
of products specific for an electric mobility future including full
eAxle systems to power next generation vehicle propulsion systems,"
said Linamar CEO Linda
Hasenfratz.
This second generation eAxle for Class 4-6 commercial vehicles
is a key result of this investment, building upon the success of
their earlier DOE program for a Class 6 HEV delivery vehicle. The
new Gen 2.0 eAxle utilizes a robust beam axle design with low NVH
helical gears, levering Linamar's world leading gear manufacturing
expertise, and an integrated electric park lock. Its single-speed,
single-motor design delivers 200kW and 11,400Nm to the rear axle
for excellent startability and gradeability under rigorous
real-world delivery conditions.
Roush CleanTech is a leader in advanced clean transportation
solutions. Roush is supplying the overall vehicle and system
design, integration, build and commissioning for the fuel cell
electric vehicles. FCEVs are electric vehicles that use a fuel cell
to power its onboard electric motor, generating electricity from
the air and compressed hydrogen.
"Roush's expertise in clean mobility solutions is supported by
decades of engineering, vehicle controls and integration experience
with many of the major OEMs. Combine that with the fact that we
have deployed more than 37,000 Ford medium-duty trucks and Blue
Bird school buses featuring advanced technologies, such as propane
autogas, and it provides fleets a comfort level in transitioning
away from traditional fuels like diesel," said Todd Mouw, president of ROUSH CleanTech. "Our
customers have accumulated well over 1 billion road miles, so we
understand how to engineer, sell, service and support our customers
through the complete asset lifecycle."
Other partners to CTE and Linamar include Ballard Power Systems,
which supplies the fuel cell power technology, designed to
integrate with the eAxle and battery systems in the Ford F-59
chassis to create the hydrogen-powered FCEV with 150 mile range
based on targeted driving cycles.
Randy MacEwen, Ballard President and CEO noted, "Ballard's
industry-leading experience in the manufacture of fuel cell systems
for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Motive applications includes powering
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles for more than 75 million kilometers to
date. Our high-performance fuel cell systems are designed to meet
the demanding needs of commercial vehicles, including superior
durability requirements for delivery vans. We are proud to be
working with Linamar, Roush and CTE on this ground-breaking project
for CARB."
The four FCEV delivery vans will be delivered by April of
2021.
About Linamar:
Linamar Corporation
(TSX:LNR) is an advanced manufacturing company where the
intersection of leading-edge technology and deep manufacturing
expertise is creating solutions that power vehicles, motion, work
and lives for the future. The Company is made up of two operating
segments – the Industrial segment and the Transportation segment,
both global leaders in manufacturing solutions and world-class
developers of highly engineered products. The Industrial segment is
comprised of Skyjack and MacDon. Skyjack manufactures scissor, boom
and telehandler lifts for the aerial work platform industry. MacDon
manufactures combine draper headers and self-propelled windrowers
for the agricultural harvesting industry. The Transportation
segment is subdivided into three regional groups: North America, Europe and Asia
Pacific. Within the Transportation segment, the regional
groups are vertically integrated operations combining expertise in
light metal casting, forging, machining and assembly for both the
global electrified and traditionally powered vehicle markets. The
Transportation segment products are focused on both components and
systems for new energy powertrains, body and chassis, driveline,
engine and transmission systems of these vehicles. McLaren
Engineering provides design, development, and testing services for
the Transportation segment. Linamar has over 26,000 employees in 61
manufacturing locations, 12 R&D centres and 25 sales offices in
17 countries in North and South
America, Europe and
Asia which generated sales of
$7.4 billion in 2019. For more
information about Linamar Corporation and its industry leading
products and services, visit www.linamar.com or follow us on
Twitter at @LinamarCorp.
About ROUSH CleanTech:
ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of advanced clean
transportation solutions, is a division of the global engineering
company Roush Enterprises. ROUSH CleanTech develops propane autogas
and electric propulsion technology for medium-duty Ford commercial
vehicles and school buses. With more than 37,000 vehicles on the
road, the Livonia, Michigan-based
company delivers economical, emissions-reducing options for fleets
across North America. Learn more
at ROUSHcleantech.com or by calling 800.59.ROUSH.
About Ballard Power Systems:
Ballard Power Systems'
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) vision is to deliver fuel cell power for
a sustainable planet. Ballard zero-emission PEM fuel cells are
enabling electrification of mobility, including buses, commercial
trucks, trains, marine vessels, passenger cars and forklift trucks.
To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/linamar-partners-with-roush-and-ballard-to-develop-fuel-cell-hybrid-electric-delivery-vans-for-carb-program-301259666.html
SOURCE Linamar Corporation