Battery-Powered Semi Truck 'Backpack' Converts Diesel Big Rigs to Hybrids. But Why?

Key Points:

• Revoy, a California startup founded in 2020, has developed a detachable battery and motor module that converts any semi truck into a temporary hybrid, providing up to 200 miles of electric assist for heavy trucks.
• The module works alongside the diesel engine to improve fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions by up to 85%, using regenerative braking and a planned battery-swapping network to maintain charge.
• Revoy recently completed a $27 million funding round and received approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to operate its equipment on public roads, launching a pilot program with Ryder and planning commercial operations near Portland, Oregon.
• The company aims to extend the lifespan of existing diesel trucks amid stricter emissions regulations and plans to develop a more affordable version with a smaller battery pack using its new funding.
• Despite challenges with electrifying large trucks due to battery size and range, Revoy’s hybrid approach offers an alternative to fully electric semis, targeting reduced emissions and operating costs comparable to conventional diesel trucks.