THIS GIANT ELECTRIC SEMI CAN SWAP OUT ITS BATTERIES

EV Channels Review

The Fully Charged Show's latest episode delves into the groundbreaking work of Janus Trucks in New South Wales, Australia, focusing on their innovative swappable battery system for heavy-duty trucks. The review highlights the significant advantages over traditional diesel engines, including faster refueling (under a minute for a battery swap), lower running costs (estimated at 60 cents/km vs. $1/km for diesel, with potential for even lower costs using renewables), and drastically reduced maintenance (below 4 cents/km compared to 14-16 cents/km for diesel). The system is designed to be retrofitted to any Class 8 or above truck, effectively electrifying existing fleets. A key feature is the massive 620 kWh battery capacity, double that of a Tesla Semi, enabling a range of 400-600 km depending on load and terrain. The reviewer praises the system's potential to reduce pollution and noise in urban areas, enabling 24-hour delivery cycles. The conversion cost is estimated at AUD $150,000-$175,000, excluding batteries which are offered as a service. Future plans include robotic charging stations for sub-one-minute swaps and repurposing end-of-life truck batteries for static storage. The overall verdict is highly positive, emphasizing the economic and environmental benefits of this pioneering approach to heavy vehicle electrification.