Australian e-mobility company SEA Electric has partnered with local New Zealand civil construction firm Dempsey Wood to introduce the country’s first electric traffic safety vehicle, complete with a truck-mounted attenuator.
SEA Electric, which was founded in Australia in 2012 but has since moved its headquarters to Los Angeles, California, announced this week that it has delivered an SEA Isuzu FSD electric vehicle (EV) to Dempsey Wood’s Temporary Traffic Management Division.
The truck has been named “Big EV” because, as Dempsey Wood explain, “it’s big, and an EV.”
Big EV started out life as an Isuzu FSD700 Auto but has undergone full conversion and is now powered by a SEA-Drive 120-25 power-system as assembled by Blackwells Isuzu in Christchurch, with assistance provided by SEA Electric’s New Zealand Aftersales team. The truck also runs an electric drive chain system and regenerative technology.
And, as with all SEA Electric vehicles, all ancillary functions on the truck including the attenuator are powered entirely by onboard batteries. This means that the truck and its ancillary functions only use power on demand, thereby reducing emissions on often busy roadwork sites.
Designed for Level 1 and 2 traffic management needs, Big EV includes New Zealand’s first Scorpion II Metro Truck Mounted Attenuator (TMA), a mobile crash cushion attached to the rear of the vehicle’s frame.
“Sustainability is an important aspect of our business model, which we are committed to enhancing through all business channels,” said Mike Dunphy, sustainability manager for Dempsey Wood Civil.
Leveraging the support and funding from EECA, Dempsey Wood are motivated to demonstrate the applicability of HEV vehicle technology and capability to the construction and infrastructure sector.”
Funding assistance to deliver Big EV to New Zealand was provided by New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority.
“It was no small task for Dempsey Wood to take on industry leadership with the build on this large, attenuated truck,” said Stephen Fairweather, SEA Electric (NZ) general manager.
“It required foresight to consider the total cost of ownership benefits of converting to EV, as well as understanding the many advantages that this truck brings to their business.
“This build shows what is possible in the construction space, both here in New Zealand, and across the world.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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