(Aachen) – RWTH Aachen University has presented the prototype of an electric truck that will be equipped with fuel cells to extend the range (range extender). 
The future range would then be more than 1.000 kilometers. Technical details were not given. The development of the vehicle at the Chair of “Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components” (PEM) is carried out by the Federal Ministry for Digital as part of the project “Heavy trucks for emission-free logistics in heavy-duty transport using an electrification modular system and an economical production system” (SeLv), which runs until October 2023 and transport funded with around 16,9 million euros. 
The RWTH spin-off “Moion GmbH” will continue to develop the truck and in the future act as a provider of truck conversions and the “powertrain kit” required for this. The aim of the “SeLv” research project is to develop a modular electric drive train with fuel cells for commercial vehicles with a permissible total weight of 41 tons. The drive, which can be adapted to individual needs, should be just as suitable for retrofitting as it is for new vehicles, according to the scientists.
Photos
The first ready-to-drive prototype of a heavy-duty electric truck in the “SeLv” project. © PEM RWTH Aachen / Patrizia Cacciotti
Graphical representation of the heavy-duty electric truck with range extender in the “SeLv” project. © PEM RWTH Aachen
