Feed pad with rubber matting hailed as game changer
For Otago farmers Michelle and Rogan Borrie, a newly constructed feed pad on one of their three farms has been a game changer.
German gearbox and transaxle manufacturers ZF has developed an electronic axle said to be capable of converting any conventionally powered vehicle with a solid axle into a battery electric vehicle.
The ZF eBeam Axle features a centrally mounted electric motor, transmission and inverter, located where you would normally find the differential casing, essentially turning a solid axle into its own driveline.
Said to be intended for use on light to medium-duty utility vehicles, the axle would appear to offer manufacturers an off-the-shelf solution to electrifying their current range of pickups and trucks at a fraction of the cost typically needed to develop their own electric powertrain.
Scheduled to enter production in 2025, engines would likely be substituted for battery packs, as recently demonstrated on a production Chevrolet Silverado 2500 pick-up truck in the US. In that case, using the eBeam axle, the Silverado produced 300kW and 1,020Nm torque, although the company says outputs can be supplied between 180 and 350kW. Of course, range will be determined by application, says ZF.
Other points for consideration will likely centre around the addition of batteries, meaning tare weight will increase, meaning manufacturers would probably need to introduce suspension component upgrades to deal with the added load.
Looking forwards, it appears that eBeam could solve a problem facing many kiwis with any impending combustion engine bans, allowing utes to be retrofitted with, or delivered from new, with a viable electric-powered alternative.
The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) has found itself in a stoush with NZPork over the controversial National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL).
Fonterra says the sale of its global consumer business and its Oceania and Sri Lankan operations could take 18 months to complete.
The lobby group the Methane Science Accord (MSA) says it welcomes a recent government move to seek outside advice on reducing biological methane targets, rather than relying on recommendations made by the Climate Change Commission.
Well-known scientist Jock Allison has passed away.
After a decade of consultation and court battles, Environment Southland has officially adopted a plan to prevent further decline in the region's water quality.
Farmers are throwing down the gauntlet to politicians - hold an independent inquiry into rural bank lending or face tough questions from the farming sector.
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