Small, low-speed electric compact utility vehicles (eCUV) can be very useful and profitable compared to full-size trucks
Panasonic announced a partnership with Tropos Motors, a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of low-speed electric compact utility vehicles (eCUV).
According to the press release, Panasonic wants to play a part in addressing the “right-sizing” trend on the market as the smaller EVs, like ABLE or ABLE XR, are able to cope with various tasks, while being more affordable to purchase. Additionally, theowner saves on maintenance compared to full-size trucks.
The Tropos Motors ABLE XR is equipped with a 26 kWh battery for up to 160 miles (257 km) of range. We assume that the battery cells are supplied by Panasonic.
“Panasonic is at the smart transportation forefront, addressing the “right-sizing” trend which acknowledges that commercial vehicles can be smaller with very few compromises but with a lot of added benefits. With low-speed electric compact utility vehicles (eCUV), benefits to the fleet owner include lower cost of purchase with a reduced cost of operation and maintenance, which equates to a quicker return on investment. Additionally, Tropos Motors’ eCUV, The ABLE™, offers unparalleled versatility combined with superior payload and towing capabilities with a significantly reduced environmental footprint.
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Tropos Motors ABLE XR specs:
- 26 kWh lithium-ion battery packs
- up to 160 miles (257 km) at speeds of 25 mph (40 km/h)
- top speed is above 45 mph (72 km/h)
- electric motor: 26 kW
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Public Road Payload Capacity – 1,100 lbs (499 kg)
Closed Campus Payload Cap. – 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Public Road Towing Capacity – 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Closed Campus Towing Cap. – 3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
* Payload and towing capacities are subject to change based on the bed package and accessories installed on the vehicle
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Panasonic Announces Collaboration with Tropos Motors to Advance Hyper-Efficient Electric Compact Utility Vehicles
Through its first U.S.-based eCUV partnership – with Tropos Motors – Panasonic is accelerating the “right-sizing” trend with its electrification and connectivity solutions
NEWARK, NJ (May 20, 2019) – Panasonic, the world’s leading automotive battery supplier, announced today that, together with Tropos Motors, the companies will bring advanced levels of connectivity, efficiency and performance to compact commercial vehicles; the second largest class of fleet vehicles.
Panasonic is at the smart transportation forefront, addressing the “right-sizing” trend which acknowledges that commercial vehicles can be smaller with very few compromises but with a lot of added benefits. With low-speed electric compact utility vehicles (eCUV), benefits to the fleet owner include lower cost of purchase with a reduced cost of operation and maintenance, which equates to a quicker return on investment. Additionally, Tropos Motors’ eCUV, The ABLE™, offers unparalleled versatility combined with superior payload and towing capabilities with a significantly reduced environmental footprint.
“Panasonic is working together with Tropos Motors to address the needs of businesses that depend on small commercial vehicles with the right mix of technologies and electrification solutions that also add societal value by providing cleaner alternatives,” said Scott Morrison, director of advanced engineering at Panasonic Automotive. “If you can have a vehicle that has all of the capabilities of a larger truck, but in a smaller package, that is what makes it more appropriate for the job. It is not about down-sizing. It is about right-sizing,” he continued.
Tropos Technologies is a developer of electric vehicle technology. As a leader in the eCUV market, Tropos Motors offers a diverse portfolio of hyper-efficient electric utility trucks with their ABLE™ platform. Models are designed for utility and versatility while keeping environmental concerns and safety at the forefront. Tropos ABLE™ vehicles vary in applications, ranging from emergency services to facilities, agriculture, and last-mile cargo delivery.
“Panasonic has positioned themselves as a trusted source in end-to-end transportation energy solutions,” said John Bautista, founder and CEO of Tropos Technologies. “One of the things we at Tropos Technologies bring to Panasonic is our ability to take their technologies and put them into practical applications very efficiently in our Tropos Motors vehicle platforms,” he concluded.