Lonestar SV T22 / S22 / T12 / S12

The Lonestar SV electric terminal tractor was unveiled by Dana and Lonestar Specialty Vehicles at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta, Georgia, held from 28 to 31 October 2019.

It is a yard tractor with a fully electric drivetrain based on Dana’s Spicer Electrified e-Powertrain.

The range has four models, which differ in how long they can work between charges. The T22 and S22 run for up to 22 hours of continuous operation, and they can be fully recharged in two hours. The T12 and S12 run for 12 hours and have DC fast-charging capability.

The tractors are offered in 4×2, 6×2 and 6×4 configurations, with a gross combination weight rating of 36,287 kg (80,000 lb) or 45,813 kg (101,000 lb). The lower rating reportedly applies to single rear-axle versions and the higher one to tandem-axle versions. Reportedly, the T22 and S22 have a maximum voltage of 650 V and a peak power of 228 kW (306 hp), while the T12 and S12 have 650 V and 114 kW (153 hp). A three-phase motor reportedly drives an electric fifth-wheel lift.

The Spicer Electrified e-Powertrain is a complete system of the motor, inverter, power electronics cradle and battery systems. The e-Propulsion part includes a Dana TM4 motor and inverter. The e-Power part includes the battery packs, battery management system, on-board charger, power electronics cradle and electrified auxiliary systems.

Dana also supplies software and controls for diagnostics, telemetry and thermal management. Dana trains Lonestar’s engineers in vehicle integration, which lets Lonestar complete the work in-house. The electrified system can be tailored to individual range requirements.

A key feature is that the system can be fitted to existing equipment. Lonestar can install the Dana e-Powertrain in a non-powered rolling chassis (a glider) or convert existing diesel-powered tractors to all-electric. Repowering and refurbishing an existing chassis extends the working life of the fleet’s assets and avoids building a new chassis. Conversions were described as immediately available at the unveiling.

“Dana engineered the electric powertrain from the ground up,” said Mark Wallace, president of Dana Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies. “[It] provides fleets the ability to immediately outfit terminal tractors with complete electrified systems for reduced emissions and increased operating efficiencies.” Blake Yazel, general manager of Lonestar Specialty Vehicle Group, said it gives customers “an environmentally friendly solution for increased uptime and lower service intervals.”

At the same show Dana also announced that it would supply the Spicer Electrified e-Powertrain to an unnamed North American truck maker for a medium-duty vehicle program. Those vehicles were expected to be available for order in the second half of 2020.