Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - June 2023 - 31

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
The P7 electric platform ranges in length from 19.7 to 28.4 ft (6.0 to
8.7 m) and in width from 5.9 to 7.9 ft (1.8 to 2.4 m).
Each REEcorner has an ECU that controls its own unit while also
communicating with a centralized ECU, the REEcenter, that oversees and
controls vehicle dynamics.
also has an ECU that controls everything happening in its unit
while also communicating with a centralized ECU, the
REEcenter, that oversees and controls vehicle dynamics.
The REE vehicle platform collects thousands of data
streams per second from each REEcorner, and that gives the
company the ability to offer preventive maintenance alerts to
its operators. The system looks for connections or situations
that have been shown in testing to often precede a specific
repair issue. The sensors also can be used for other alerts,
such as if the height sensor in each REEcorner shows that the
vehicle has been loaded unevenly. This could create more
wear-and-tear or make maneuvering more difficult, Barel said.
REE also can use these sensors to observe driving patterns
and through dashboard prompts encourage the driver to be
more efficient or alert a fleet manager.
Looking at a REEcorner, there are two general halves. The
outboard half uses industry-standard components such as
shocks and wheel attachments, so roadside service technicians
can work on a REE truck the same as any other vehicle.
But, when there's a problem with the powertrain - the inboard
half - a REE vehicle should be back in service sooner
because it won't need to visit the garage.
That's because REE designed the REEcorners to be easily
replaced if something malfunctions. It's such a straightforward
process that a REEcorner can be exchanged on the side
of the road in about an hour, Barel said. That includes the
time to loosen (and reattach) the physical connectors as well
as calibrate the software and let the REEcorner know where it
is on the vehicle - if it's a right front or left rear corner, for
example. Unless there's been some damage, technicians don't
have to worry about any electrical discharge and only need a
standard lift to move a 660-lb (300-kg) REEcorner into place.
REE believes this kind of repair flexibility will make life easier
for fleet operators. Because the corner units are interchangeable,
fleet operators won't need a garage full of parts.
Instead, they'll just need to stock REEcorners or access them
from a nearby dealer. Damaged REEcorners will be returned
to REE for repairs or reuse.
Dealer expansion
During the ACT Expo, REE announced an expansion of its authorized
dealer network in the U.S. There are about a dozen
names on the list, with Monarch Truck Center, The Truck Shop
and Ry-Den Truck Center newly added. REE also is being selective
about which dealers it will work with because they're
the ones with the relationships to the customers, Barel said.
Despite all the flexibility REE wants to offer its customers,
Microvast's MV-C
Gen 4 lithium-ion battery
packs power REE's P7 fully-flat
commercial EV platforms with
REEcorner technology.
TRUCK & OFF-HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
there are some logical limits. While it would be possible to
order a P7-C as a Class 3 truck, for example, Barel does not
expect that to happen very often. Class 4 sales are the smallest
segment in the commercial ICE (internal-combustion engine)
world, he said, but with electrification and the corresponding
battery weight, sales are moving from Class 3 to 4.
The transition is accelerating because of significant government
incentives worth up to $110,000 for Class 4 electric vehicles,
compared to just $60,000 for Class 3 vehicles, Barel
said. " It makes it very, very interesting, " he added.
Sebastian Blanco
June 2023 31
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SAE/SEBASTIAN BLANCO; REE; MICROVAST
Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - June 2023

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