While EV fans count the days to the debut of Tesla’s
electric pickup on November 21, another California-based company has revealed
two battery-powered trucks.
We’re talking about Neuron EV, a startup founded in
2017 which declares itself the first Electric Utility Vehicle company. Earlier
this week at the 2019 China International Import Expo in Shanghai, the company
has unveiled the T/One all-in-one EUV (electric utility vehicle) and the Torq
semi-truck.
If they end up getting mass-produced, the T/One and
Torq will be competitors for Tesla’s electric pickup and the Semi,
respectively. The T/One is a multipurpose vehicle created for commercial and
personal use while the Torq is an electric semi-truck developed to be the next
generation solution for commercial transportation.
Both vehicles are based on a modular platform and
place emphasis on versatility. The basic tractor unit features a scalable
chassis, allowing users to easily attach and detach interchangeable body components,
therefore changing the vehicle’s appearance and functionality.
According to the company, the electric drivetrain
optimizes floor room and lowers the center of gravity, creating an easy to
drive platform. In a similar way to cargo vans, the cabin is shifted forward to
maximize driving visibility, interior roominess, and cargo capacity.
Without getting into specifics, Neuron EV says the
trucks feature a multi-source propulsion system drawing power from an
all-electric traction battery pack, replaceable reserve power, and a removable
solar panel truck bed cover.
The interiors are at least as interesting as the
exteriors, with both trucks featuring a central driving position and a
panoramic 360-degree view courtesy of wireless cameras connected to the driver’s
screen. The EVs feature no physical knobs and switches thanks to a vehicle
interface compatible “with the latest gadgets and internet solutions.”
The big question is obviously when (and if) these
pre-production prototypes will morph into models people will actually be able
to buy.
