Brazilian beverage maker Ambev has ordered 1,000 electric delivery trucks from manufacturer FNM (Fábrica Nacional de Mobilidades). The trucks, which FNM developed in collaboration with vehicle manufacturer Agrale, will use battery packs from California-based Octillion Power Systems and electric drivetrains from Danfoss Editron.

Ambev expects to deploy the 1,000 electric delivery vehicles by the end of 2021.

FNM has opened an EV factory inside Agrale’s manufacturing facility in Caxias do Sul in southeast Brazil. The joint effort uses Agrale’s existing production line for commercial vehicles, which has a capacity of 150 to 200 trucks per day. The collaborative effort will produce the FNM model 832, a Class 6 truck with up to 14-ton capacity, and the FNM model 833, a Class 8 truck with an 18-ton capacity.

Ambev’s order is for the FNM 833 electric truck, which has a range of up to 700 km. It features Octillion’s 650-volt modular, liquid-cooled battery pack and Danfoss Editron’s drivetrains. FNM’s trucks use niobium in the chassis, brakes, suspension, wheels and other parts to reduce the vehicle’s weight. Pre-series vehicles have already entered operation in Rio de Janeiro.

Danfoss Editron’s drivetrain system includes a 250 kW motor with total power of 355 hp, an Eaton multi-speed transmission, an Octillion 650-volt battery pack, and a digital avionics controller and inverter.

“Our unique battery solution allows for a scalable design that can be configured in various models using a single technology platform,” said Octillion President Paul Beach.

Ambev operates over 7,000 trucks in its Brazilian fleet, and says it wants at least half of these to operate on clean energy by 2023.

“In order to deliver this service, we prepared a preliminary study to define the needs of Ambev, always allying performance for better productivity with reduced costs,” said Ricardo Machado, CEO of FNM. “The FNM trucks are 100% connected to Ambev’s IT systems, which deliver full control for the company’s monitoring area and real-time information on traffic and routes. The vehicles are also equipped with new technologies that are focused on safety, including anti-collision systems with artificial intelligence and integrated cameras.”

Sources: Octillion, Danfoss Editron