The Balqon Corporation has announced completion of lithium-ion battery testing in cold weather for their Class 7 and Class 8 electric tractor, the XE20.  The testing was done in warehouse applications at temperatures below -12ºC (10ºF) and involving loads sometimes exceeding 25 tons.  The results show that cold weather or conditions do not significantly lower the range or durability of the batteries or truck.

The testing took place over four weeks’ time in actual warehouse applications and also proved the spotting truck’s ability to significantly reduce costs over time when compared to similar diesel-fueled counterparts.

“Our demonstration of the performance of the Nautilus XE20 in actual warehouse applications at temperatures below 10°F under loads exceeding 25 tons validates our belief that the durability, range and performance of our heavy-duty electric vehicles would not be diminished due to the effects of cold weather,” said Mr. Balwinder Samra, Balqon Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that the four weeks of successful testing validates the Nautilus XE20 as a viable alternative to diesel fuel powered vehicles in cold weather conditions. Based upon the fuel cost data we recorded, we also believe that Balqon’s heavy-duty electric vehicles will provide significant fuel cost savings as compared to diesel fuel powered heavy-duty vehicles that must remain idle all day in cold weather conditions to prevent fuel line freeze-up.”

The Nautilus XE20 is produced in conjunction with Autocar Truck using their Xspotter tractor platform and is available for purchase throughout North America for off-highway and warehouse applications.

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