Edison is pretty smart having shops become installers for the reason edison is going to benefit from all the ideas and solutions these shops and mechanics will introduce.
An important thing they need to setup now is an internal data repository for their installers on what does and does not work and why it did/didn't work. Because there are going to be so many custom installs on so many different frames there is going to be an ocean of different setups. That and shared customer maintenance records between dealerships.
@@petergraphix6740 that knowledge base will be critical important. If installers can learn from each other share best practices - that should speed up installs and improve quality. So not every small shop needs to reinvent the process over again - economies of scale. You need something like a Wiki where installers can make suggestions to the process and others review and vote on it if it gets the new standard.
As a future young business owner, I hope Edison motors can shake the existing work truck industry with their ambition for electric/Diesel generator hybrid.
@@BushcraftQuebec But how about the right to repair and getting cheap parts. Chrysler and the other big car companies still want to sell you a new truck and a leasing plan. That’s where their mind is.
@@Adscam as a small shop owner in Massachusetts, I am a HUGE supporter of the right to repair. And I look forward to possibly becoming an installer of the Edison Motors kits.
I have a proposition for you. I agree with what you are saying. There's a range of vehicles you have not covered just yet. No one has, and you can be king of this market. The Skoolie community needs you. The only options left for buses are DEF and DPF engines which are costly. Gas motors don't work very well on Buses. We need an electric option that will work in a school bus. Most school buses are medium duty level trucks and if your kits can work in a medium duty truck like an International 3800, it should work with buses with a little more weight. We need the buses geared to drive 70 Mph tops. Some default go 50-70mph. Is this something that can be achieved? There's also plenty of room on buses to install large battery banks, and if there were kits where we could install into them, you'd have a market.
I don't think School Busses need cruise at 70, on a regular basis, and 45 mph only needs one third the engine weight. 45 mph is just 20 meters per second. It might be possible to rent a beefier engine for Summer Vacations. School Busses have a lot of space in the Under Carriage.
@@TheNikitis So Skoolies must cruise at 70, but School Busses might do this rarely. The Edison Motors Option was considered 90 years ago, but Rail-Roads were less sensitive for Weight. Maybe we could have a dirct drive turbine engine, that drives the bus at only 70mph? The Turbine would not like 65mph, but would be very efficient at 70mph. Just a clutch and a turbine.
With such a “grassroots” presence Edison Motors will garner loyalty from its customers. With an excellent product and solid support from Edison Motors the overall business will grow as needed, risk and reward will be shared and market share will be assured. Customers won’t be abandoned.
Great work, Chase - just building a functioning hybrid diesel-electric big truck system is ambitious enough, but you are also being AN AMBASSADOR of SANITY in a world gone amuck! In an earlier video, you said SOME GUYS are REALLY GOOD at ANALYIZING THE CODING and ERROR MESSAGES of existing OEM software systems, and could patch a new hybrid system in to older truck's dashboards or even in to more recent model trucks that are already loaded with existing computer modules and CAN-bus systems. WE NEED a DATABASE of these guys who are really good at, ace at at ANALYZING ELECTRONICS - sort of like an Angie's List, or yellow-pages for people seeking pro help in their area for either converting older trucks to hybrid electric-motors or just repairing today's overly complex software monstrosities. I know you have a couple of excellent guys writing code and integrating computer modules and electronic controls for Edison Motors!
Thanks brother, it’s a real problem. I’m an independent heavy duty mechanic, and I’m no dummy. Working on EV’s wouldn’t be intimidating to me but the approach of companies to withhold technical info from repairer’s like me, or how companies like Hyundai make repairs more costly than a new vehicle costs makes repair impossible. I fear what this mentality will do to the commercial vehicle and equipment industries if and when it enters our space.
Corporations- "you will own nothing and you will be happy" That's why the right to repair is so important. They're coming for everyone. From cell phones to tractors and everything between.
Just be aware most of these systems have 200V + DC... which when things are damaged can be very scary shit. So when working on potentially damaged systems be careful because you are dealing with HVDC..
@@Wingnut353tell me you know nothing about the way a generator works. You didn’t listen to the video just played. And have zero common sense all in 32 words 7 caped letters and 3 number’s.
@@joeg7755 "Although he has a couple of good points, he is just like any other salesman, but without the tie." For those of us who know the history of the project and company, yes, he definitely has a tendency to 'transfer his enthousiasm', as Brian Tracy says. :grin: On top of that, what he is offering is something that is needed, wanted, can be used, and can be afforded--at least by those with the capital to take advantage of his products. That being said, saying that he is 'just like any other salesman' is actually *_incredibly_* insulting, as he is going _against_ the current trend of proprietary, closed-system, unrepairable, tofu dreg products that so many others are going with. He has turned down multiple investors who were only looking to make money and refuses to go the *MUCH* more profitable dealership route, instead going with qualified local installers who just buy the kits and install them for _their_ customers, thus spreading the wealth. I suggest you watch more of his videos and talk with those he has talked with. I am confident that your opinion will change.
Make your replacement parts (battery packs, chargers, controllers) as backwards compatible or at least direct replacement as possible for as long as possible because everyone hates buying an entirely new kit as new parts aren't compatible.
if i remember correctly all the parts are off the shelf units you can buy anywhere that deals in that type of system. unlike the other oem's which use bespoke parts for their ecosystem.
by using off the shelf parts, usually they have to adhere to either a standard or most popular to get that "universally compatible" profit. also you dont care about the battery pack really they just have to match size/volume and the controller being a 8 pin can always have that as the bare minimum and then upgrade or add some other components via an extra plug. etc.
@@webreakforsquirrel4201 not what I’m talking about at all. I’m talking about the 5 year old electric Kia’s that need to have a battery replaced costing $60,000+. I’m taking about having a common battery pack that can be replaced if damaged or worn out, that doesn’t cost more than the vehicle itself. Not saying replacing the battery instead of charging
@@webreakforsquirrel4201I mean it’s not that ridiculous to imagine, we already have dc fast chargers that move incredible amounts of energy and are relatively easy to use for the layperson. If the end user is capable of facilitating this energy transfer why couldn’t a shop or a mobile mechanic do a battery swap?
LPG AutoGas (Propane and Butane Mix) is the only one that makes sense. Also the 3rd most popular road vehicle fuel in use. Natural Gas / CNG which is a mix of Methane and Ethane is not suitable for road vehicle. It's too Low Density.
My 2006 scion xb has a custom drop arm in the rear. I have QS motor 12kw hub motors in the back combined with a 144v 100Ah battery setup. A custom controller and a fueltech aftermarket ECU it's a fully functional hybrid. The battery is purely charged at cruise on the freeway by adding a tiny bit of regen braking. Changing to throttle by wire let's me intercept the peddle and use the electric for all acceleration demand, I went from 30mpg to 48mpg and around a 60mi ev only range at under 75mph
Would you mind giving more details? My wife and I love the TC and I'd really like to know what specific parts you used. I'm a welder/fabricator, thanks for any details.
This is awesome. I have a 2006 xb that I've wanted to convert to electric. Did you do it yourself? Still is one of my top 3 favorite vehicles of all time. Scion xb 1st Gen, Tesla model S, CyberTruck.
@wadafruit before tesla was tesla, aka before Musk took over, and they used a lotus they had plans to build 1st gen xb ev con versions. This entire build is my own. The electric power steering and A/C compressor are from a 2005 prius. The electronics are more or less adapted from 4 other cars, and the ecu is from fueltech with custom can bus code 2 extra custom modules I designed sit on the can bus and tie the ev battery system
He is trying to get to big to fast. Instead of focusing on one thing and perfecting it. He is riding on the support of youtubers and dipping into to many things at once. If he can not fully commit to one project and finish it then why bother. It will stay half ass done and will just ride the coat tails of the initial hype. The reason Elon did it so well is he completed one thing before attempting to do the next.
I really like the way Chace is blasting through the red tape of bigger companies. One thing I would suggest though is that they get some strong legal advice on their training liabilities. While Chace is simplifying the installation procedure in the video, the electrical industry has a lot of protocols that Edison will have to follow whether they like it or not. I know Edison means well and I genuinely wish them every success. They have the potential to be an proper industry disruptor which is something that is long overdue. The last thing I want to see is Edison Motors get caught up in some legal issue because something went wrong with an installer job or someone got hurt. This company is on a roll and it needs to maintain it's momentum to be a success. All the best to Edison Motors. Can't wait for the next installment.
Can you just imagine if every vehicle was a mobile genset? Seriously, say goodbye to blackouts--your car is a genny, go plug your house into the special plug it's got for just such an occasion. BIG air, BIG welders, all sorts of capabilities that normally required a specialized vehicle can now be made modular because the truck is the powerplant! That's just one little possibility in an ocean of possibilities, and you're right--it's frustrating seeing companies go about this in the wrong way. At least you guys are going about it the right way--you're living in the same future space as the rest of us who actually use our vehicles to make a living. "Can this make me more money/make my life easier?" is very different calculus for the end-user than it is for the corporate goobers who are responsible for the state of the automotive industry. Real change comes from REAL end-users saying "I can do this better" and that's what you guys are doing. Canadian captains of industry and I'm here for it.
This application perfectly suits my business. Im curious about the PTO options on a 7.3 IDI. I have a small vaccum truck business, and the ability to run the truck, half electric, would bring huge net savings. Especially considering half of the trucks' use is not in transit, instead in PTO operation.
I would assume that the 7.3 would go away. A much smaller engine would be required to power your needs. With, say, 20kWh of battery storage a 10-20 kW generator would get you 100-150 miles plus the power needed to run equipment. A generator is far more reliable and efficient than a truck engine as it only runs at one rpm, so a little 30 hp unit will do.
In Europe we have laws that say Vehicles and now white goods (Washing machines etc) Must be user/3rd party servicable. Thats why we don't get certain brands and the USA/CAN version of vehicles is not the same as what we get......Unfortunatley France (Which I live in) makes it as hard as possible by banning (or trying to) mxing and matching stuff to keep things on the road.
Thank you, you're taking an industry (modern automotive as a whole) that is enslaving people and putting power back into the people's hands. Exciting to see you guys pursuing the pick-up conversions, I hope to get a conversion done sometime in the future from one of your installers.
Right. To. Repair. Everyone, whether you're in the US or Canada, talk to your government representatives and demand that they vote FOR right to repair. Apple, John Deere and increasingly, the auto industry want to take away your ability to work on things that you paid for. Edison Motors are pushing in the right direction and I wish them all the success!
This is awesome! Fundamentally an electric drivetrain is far more simple than an internal combustion drivetrain. Manufacturers are making them complicated because of safety regulations, customer expectations and like you said the desire to keep maintenance and repair in house.
I think the installer program is awesome. This is really the only logical and legitimate solution for EV to be able to operate in the transportation industry with our current infrastructure. Natural gas is great but the infrastructure isn't quite there yet either.
More importantly: Edison's Tech is highly modular since the Batteries don't care where the electricity comes from. When Natural Gas does become viable, it should be possible to just swap out the generator. When the charging infrastructure is in place, dropping the generator entirely *should* be a viable option as well.
So glad I found one of your videos today, I have been saying this for years, this system is the most sensible for efficiency, function, and serviceability. I worked as a mechanic as a young man later studied and worked in electronics and later worked with high voltage. A reason trains adapted to it years ago, because it works so well. So glad to see your company making this product, I hope it takes off in the states. This could also be used as mobile generators for disaster areas/ the new standard tow trucks that can charge up dead battery only cars,, so many uses!
And we're watching the next to be one of the largest EV companies yet, and to me the 1st one to make sense to both the buyers, but the servicing aspects as well. If you can still use a local place you trust after they are certified is a huge benefit to both the buyer and the service agency.
I like how they are based in Canada too, I know how there is always the concern of feature and scope creep but it would be great to see the batteries being able to preheat themselves as well as the diesel block. And then maybe a grid heater in the cabin and electric AC so you don't have to wait for The heat to warm up on a cold day
the big trucks are running a diesel heater so no issues with lack of temp. to quote the rodeo song "its 40 below and i dont give a fxxk cuz i got a heater in my truck" also with a diesel heater both the engine and the batteries are warm no mater the temp. and those heaters are super efficient. like a gallon a night or less.. and you can route the heater part of the hvac to the battery cooling so no need to wait for heat. as for ac electric a/c are common.
in very cold areas you can run a inline coolant heater that heats the coolant while running its really useful in preventing cylinder wash down when not up to temperature
I really hope we have a tech signed up for northern British Columbia closer to Fort St John, I've been following you guys along your whole journey and although I hate electric vehiclesand would never own one i absolutely love what y'all are doing, and I'd gladly assemble my own pickup in the same manner, I'm not in the position to become a tech for you but I wish I was. One day I hope to work alongside you installing and maintaining these "conversion kits"
You just can't get any better than doing things the RIGHT way! We are watching history being made! Just imagine the benefits of giving work to small shops all over!
Still massively excited for the potential of this! I love being able to work on my own vehicle. Being a mobile knife and tool sharpener, this would be a game changer! I can’t wait till they start looking into smaller trucks/suvs. Thankfully don’t need a large truck, but Gavin a 97 Nissan pickup with an electric hybrid kit would be amazing!!!!
@@Sicktrickintuner I was thinking more like having this electric motor connected with the transmission on one end and diff on the other end just like propshaft is. You will need long and slim custom electric motor that would fit in the propshaft tunel. If you want ev mode you just put the transmission in neutral and just use the electric motor. When the battery is low you just start the engine and put the transmission in to drive, you can also activate the regen if you want to charge the battery while driving.
@ACAGT You might be interested in a look at the various "through drive" configurations that are developed , refined, in production and commercialy available.
@@ACAGT What about connecting the electric motor to the proshaft with a chain to do your idea and maybe when running diesel it acts like a alternator?.🤔 Although it'll need the brains of Edison Trucks and not a thick twat like me😂
I love seeing your thought process, your brainstorming. Getting to see your realization about the savings of propane is a real treat. I want to be an installer.
I’m am electrical contractor that was interested in creating my own hybrid back in 1998. I’m interested in partnering up on a couple upcoming builds. Let me know what the next steps are.
It's a real life version of '$40k Hover Conversions' from Back to the Future 2. I love the pragmatic, compartmental approach to everything, it's very inspiring and exciting to watch. They solve problems like a Star Trek crew, so I'm already a fan. It's organized with professionals that not only want to teach, but more importantly, continue to want to learn.
As a new subscriber to Edison motors Watching what you do to making everything user friendly.. …. I waiting to see what you do to a motor home conversion…. Power and mileage wise… compared to what it was getting before and after … Your business model Is. AWSOME. …
Looking forward to these being available. I am looking for a older F250/350 as a tow rig for an RV, slow and powerful. Dragging a 5th wheel. No need for additional generators. What a great concept. The RV market will be huge for you guys.
You probably need to build a knowledge base for your shops. If installers can learn from each other, share best practices - that should speed up installs and improve quality. So not every small shop needs to reinvent the same process over again - economies of scale. Something like a Wiki where installers can make suggestions to the process and others review and vote on it if it gets the new standard.
As a small business owner, potential future consumer of retro fit kits, and potential certified installer route. I’m a mobile mechanic and I just bought my own first service truck, a 2009 Chevy 3500 2x4. I’m moving in the direction of hopefully adding another used 5500 sized trucks with a service body and crane. Would be perfect for a small semi retro fit
I am very happy to be on your list for my one ton Ford. I am in rural Maine and we have flooded roads a few times a year. I want through 20 inches of water last storm. First of two questions; Is the electric motor going to be able to be submerged ? Second Question relates to the potential of being towed out of the woods. My concern is if the axle will free wheel or would the tow have to overcome the motor resistance. I saw an old range rover that had manual locking hubs front and rear so that it could be towed long distance without the drive train engaged. And yes I jump up and do a happy dance every time you mention making a truck (or anything else) last a life time and be fixed at the garage down the road.
I am definitely getting an older heavy duty pickup and converting it. I think it will be the ultimate machine for hauling a camper around and travelling in my retirement.
That's a great business model by the way, I think this is what the Harley Davidson did when they trained the people to be able to work on their bikes, which in modern world is called "right to repair". This allowed them to create a loyal community! Amazing strategy, keep it up sir.
Jay Leno was talking about this but not to long ago you would go to the general store to get your kit to put a bed on your truck…this is where the term pick up truck came from. You guys are essentially doing the same thing with a certification process. I love it !
My God has Keabray grown. I remember when it was like 4 trucks operating out of the garage at Weston's home. I also remember getting my own vehicle stuck on the road out front on my first day. That was a fun winter
Chace, I really wish you would talk about the DIY option. There's a lot of emphasis on dealers, and I understand that right now, but I have yet to hear you talk about the DIYer
I love your company and your ideas. I am sure you have thought about this already but I am a little concerned about your installers, just make sure they can’t cut you out, and make their own trucks and conversions. Look back at early 1900s car industry, very cutthroat.Also don’t ever go public if you want to keep your company. Keep up the great work!
Either the cost snd reliability issues of new vehicles, I bet if someone set up to convert Ritchie bros specials and throw bale beds and serve bodies on them, reupholster the interior, they could sell a lot of pickups in farm country.
I was just arguing with an EV nutjob, and in using google to source my ancient knowledge I found that my knowledge is way out of date. Gasoline engines are now 30-36% thermally efficient, and diesel is 40-45%. Which is amazing! Edison has a great future, hopefully I can invest soon.
I have been keeping up with you for a while. I like the direction you are going. I'm a small shop in Missouri USA and I would like to get into this. The problem is that small independent shops like me may not be able to afford the downtime and upfront costs. I have yet to see a cost estimate for the pickup side. I'm a 30 year truck and equipment tech. I had actually planned and started to convert a small tractor, but the cost and money got in the way.
This is a great video. I was watching and at 16:00 I busted out laughing. The conversation was all over by 16:52. This was an amazing clip! I saw Chace do exactly what my mind does when trying to solve a problem. If I have a problem to solve, that stuff never comes to me if I sit with my eyes closed, open my eyes, and try to write it down some solution. It never works that way. But if I start talking, just like Chace did, all of a sudden a bunch of new ideas just start falling out of my mouth. I have no idea how that works or where it comes from, but this is the first time I have ever seen it happen with someone else on camera!! I know EXACTLY how he felt in that moment! The look on his face as he turned away is exactly how I feel. I always want to turn to whoever I'm with and ask, "Do you remember what I just said? I'm not sure I got what I said there." I'm still laughing. At least he has it on video.
Made a mention of using propane. I was wonder if you looked at something like the Qnergy generator? It uses a sterling engine with a linear generator first developed by NASA.
I have nothing to do with Trucking but when I saw your video hauling the tank really got me excited about the potential. This really is the best solution in the short term to reduce emissions. The benefit of converting vehicles to running on natural gas, which is already piped everywhere in the EU would be huge. I would love to invest in this if you are ever thinking about going public.
You guys have great ideas. It's so exciting. I am from Ukraine, it will be cheaper for us to run a propane drive generator. I wonder, is it possible to get a kit to Ukraine? How much it cost?
I love how your mind works. I think we could have a lot of discussions just like this. I love to brainstorm, 5hink about hypothetical ideas, then decide if they can be tried.
i cant tell you how excited i am to see someone take electric and make it into a working truck that can go for long drives, be used for hours on end. this is how we reduce our pollution without costing extra money to transport it. amazing
how you went off thinking about running a semi on propane - is exactly how many of us think. His mind is the reason he got to this point, giving the common people a solution, probably the most important solution they need right now.
I saw the light bulb go on when you where discussing propane/diesel generator .... hmmm pretty sure that dual source is readily available HMMMMM will be putting in my reservation for a truck conversion !!! U all are kicken Azz !!
I've always wondered why this hasn't been done before. It works in locomotives, why not scale down to small vehicles and trucks? Great work you guys, I support your cause!
I dont run or work at a shop, I've done battery pack work on both electric and hybrids, mostly repalacing batteries and rebalancing the packs to get them running again. If i ever get more tools and get certified id put my hat in to help you guys retro fit
