The vehicle, based upon a Chevy Silverado 3500 Class 3 commercial fleet truck, is the only Class 3 commercial work truck that has 30-40 miles (48-64 km) of all-electric range, EDI says. (While VIA Motors also is producing plug-in hybrid work trucks, also based on a Silverado model, which also offer an all-electric range of up to 40 miles, those plug-ins are Class 2, with a GVWR of 7,500 lbs (3,400 kg). FHWA Class 2 = 6,001 to 10,000 lbs; Class 3 = 10,001 to 14,000 lbs.)

The EDI-Drive system automatically adapts its functions so it can operate as either a pure electric vehicle (EV) for trips around the neighborhood, or as a Series Hybrid, optimum for stop-and-go city traffic conditions, or as an efficient Parallel Hybrid that is ideal for the highway. It also features an EV+ Mode for hill climbing and added acceleration.

The vehicle features a series-parallel extended range of 300 miles (483 km), bi-directional charging, 50-120 kW of grid reliable exportable power, and enough battery capacity to operate vehicle accessories and job site work tools without idling the base diesel engine.

EDI built its PHEV drivetrain system in response to increasing pressure from the utility industry to green their fleets using electricity as a primary fuel. EDI has developed a range of medium- and heavy-duty PHEVs that offer significant emissions reductions with no corresponding loss in vehicle performance. Continuing that trend, EDI recently added the light-duty work truck to its PHEV lineup, giving utility and telecom providers access to a wider range of vehicles to meet their needs.

Medium-duty EDI PHEV work truck. Click to enlarge.

EDI’s Power Drive also allows the vehicle to generate useful power for up to 12 hours idle-free for a variety of stationary uses and power restoration during natural disaster recovery, mass transportation industry power outages, and planned and unplanned electrical outages.

The vehicles are also capable of charging other pure electric vehicles when needed. Available in multiple configurations, EDI’s line of high-performance PHEV trucks also offer a variety of additional in-demand solutions, including jobsite idle elimination, 24+ hours of jobsite ePTO, and proprietary control software and algorithms that efficiently coordinate all vehicle components for optimum fuel economy and emissions reductions.

Moving forward, EDI will continue its focus in tech innovation for the utilities and telecom industry with a focus on expanding its portfolio into sedans and heavier duty work trucks. EDI said it will also form industry partnerships, merging state of the art electrification technologies to bring a best in class “most efficient and connected work truck” to the world.