Home Notifications Newsletters Next Share

This Swedish startup created an electric, autonomous freight vehicle that it says will hit roads next yearhttps://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/this-swedish-startup-created-an-electric-autonomous-freight-vehicle-that-it-says-will-hit-roads-next-year/slidelist/79354024.cms2020-11-22T20:02:15+05:30

This Swedish startup created an electric, autonomous freight vehicle that it says will hit roads next year

Brittany ChangNov 22, 2020, 20:02 IST

According to Einride, the exterior design and its rounded edges make the vehicle aerodynamic without decreasing its interior storage capacity.

“We designed the Pod from the ground up to present the best possible business case for road freight utilizing autonomous and electric technology,” Falck told Business Insider in the email interview. “If we’re going to make transport both sustainable and cost-competitive, AET solutions like the Pod are the only way forward.”

The road-legal Pod has no cab for a driver. According to Falck, not having a driver's area reduces costs and the impact on the electric drivetrain, making the price of the Pod comparable to diesel trucks.

"With our recent brand identity project, a central focus was on the symbiotic relationship between software and hardware in freight mobility," Einride's CMO and co-founder Linnéa Kornehed said in a statement. "It's a symbol of our accomplishments in pioneering the category of AET, but also emphasizes our commitment to developing software solutions that make the transition to sustainable freight seamless."

The Next Gen Pod. Einride

"With our recent brand identity project, a central focus was on the symbiotic relationship between software and hardware in freight mobility," Einride's CMO and co-founder Linnéa Kornehed said in a statement. "It's a symbol of our accomplishments in pioneering the category of AET, but also emphasizes our commitment to developing software solutions that make the transition to sustainable freight seamless."

Einride is offering four different Pod types that all have varying uses.

For example, AET 1, the "fenced' level, is good for use in "closed facilities" with set operational routes and times. The AET 1 can reach up to almost 19 miles-per-hour, has a range between about 81 to 112 miles, and has a payload of 16 tons.

The AET 2, designated for "nearby" use, is good for the aforementioned closed spaces, as well as travel on public roads between two close locations. The AET 2 has the same payload, range, and miles-per-hour specs as the AET 1.

The pre-orders for AET 1 and AET 2 are now available, and Einride will begin shipping the vehicles to customers next year. The other two Pod types, the AET 3 and AET 4, are also available for reservations, but Enride will not begin shipping these two until 2022 to 2023.

The AET 3, classified for "rural" use, can be operated on less crammed main and back roads between two locations. This vehicle can travel at almost 28 miles-per-hour, has a range between 124 to 186 miles, and has a payload of up to 16 tons.

The AET 4, labeled for "highway" use, is faster at almost 53 miles-per-hour and can be operated on freeways and "major roads." The AET 4 has the same aforementioned specs as the AET 3.

Each AET level has different "operational fees" at varying costs. For example, the vehicles all cost $10,000 to reserve, but the AET 1 has a monthly $18,000 operational charge, and the AET 4's monthly fee is higher at $22,500.

These additional monthly fees allow customers to use Eirnride's "freight mobility platform which will plan and operate the Pods, overseen by Einride-certified remote operators," according to the company. The platform also provides information like the vehicle's location, route, and energy.

Customers like Oatly, Bridgestone, Coca-Cola, and Lidl have already expressed interest in Einride's line of products, which also includes "traditional" electric trucks.

Next Story BMW's Mini created a futuristic concept electric ...

View All Latest