Formosa Plastics Transport chairman Chen Sheng-kuang. Credit: DIGITIMES
Formosa Plastics Transport (FPT) has set a target to commercialize its 12-ton electric truck in the first quarter of 2023, and the company recently completed the prototypes of two electric truck models, according to company chairman Chen Sheng-kuang.
With energy saving and carbon reduction becoming a key global trend, governments and automakers around the world have set goals to achieve net-zero emissions in the coming decades. Chen said that the automotive industry will inevitably move towards electrification and that all types of fossil-fuel vehicles will soon be replaced by electric ones.
FPT focusing on development of electric trucks
After Audi revealed plans to go completely electric by 2026, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz both announced that they will only sell electric vehicles (EVs) in most countries starting from 2030. FPT also plans to follow the net-zero trend and enter the EV industry through commercial EVs.
Chen pointed out that FPT conceived the idea of building its own commercial cars after Formosa Automobile began assembling and distributing heavy-duty trucks for Netherland-based DAF in 2006. To protect its brand image, FPT will manage the design, R&D and production of its EVs, he explained.
Chen said FPT began the R&D of commercial EVs with a goal of becoming an OEM. With a mature chassis system, the company is building its own EV brand by optimizing vehicle design.
FPT to introduce electric garbage trucks
As ICT firms in Taiwan are cutting into the automotive electronics supply chain, and as bus manufacturers are looking to go electric, FPT has placed its focus on electric garbage trucks.
Noting that electric garbage trucks can remind people of the importance of carbon reduction, Chen said FPT wants to attract attention from the Taiwanese government and raise awareness of electrification need for public utilities.
Chen said FPT will send the prototypes of its two 12-ton electric trucks to the Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC) for testing. Although the company has yet to decide on a specific partner for the charging infrastructure for its EVs, Chen said Taiwan-based charging equipment makers and DAF’s parent company PAKA are potential candidates.
Chen also pointed out that FPT is aiming to produce 20 electric garbage trucks every month starting from the first quarter of 2023. He said the company plans to collaborate with the Taoyuan City Government to introduce its electric trucks into the community.
Industry sources have suggested that FPT’s electric garbage trucks will not come with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
FPT to introduce electric trucks in Taoyuan first
Industry sources said FPT is choosing Taoyuan as the first location to roll out its electric trucks because the city had allowed 5G autonomous vehicles developed by FPT and Taiwan Mobile to operate at the Chang Gung Health and Culture Village in November 2020. The health and culture village is a retirement community operated by the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, an affiliate of the Formosa Plastics Group.
As part of a collaboration project, Taiwan Mobile has teamed up with FPT, National Taiwan University, Ming Chi University of Technology, and self-driving transport startup iAuto to develop 5G autonomous vehicle technology for commercial and government clients.
FPT to complete EV battery, motor, and electric control systems
Besides building EVs, FPT has also been actively developing battery cathode materials and new battery technologies in recent years.
Mike Yang, chairman of Taiwan-based Phoenix Battery, said Taiwan has a relatively complete battery supply chain despite a small battery market. He stressed that the country must find its own advantages to become a key player in the global EV battery market.
Echoing Yang’s remarks, Chen said it is important for Taiwan-based battery makers to produce high-quality products and receive certifications from their clients. He added that energy storage systems will serve as a good platform for lithium ion batteries, which are said to be suitable for high-power charging/discharging environments.
With accumulated experiences in battery development and vehicle manufacturing, FPT will still have to compete with companies that entered the EV industry in recent years.
Source: https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20220325PD208/formosa-plastics-electric-truck.html?chid=13
