TED’S SLED AND THE
FROZEN ALASKAN FRONTIER
The frigid winter morning enveloped Ted as he stepped out of his motel room in Badger city, with his breath visible in the crisp still air while heading for a cozy diner. It was 30 below zero outside and everything was dimly lit and frozen solid, including his 80,000 lb. semi-truck which hadn't moved the prior day. Ted knew that starting the truck in this remote area could be a challenge, but from experience he was confident that his truck’s Compound Electric Hybrid would not let him down.
Ted affectionately calls his truck “Hermes1 Sled”! And this “Hermes Sled” is powered by state-of-the-art technology that allows it to be more efficient and environmentally friendly. It has a 190KW battery setup and ready with full charge, because Hermes is also equipped with an on-board Topo-smart-GPS drive system called North Star. North Star plans ahead using scheduled stops; it anticipates grade changes and will use the fuel engine to charge up the batteries on the last leg of the journey. Ted keeps this North Star initiated to ensure that his truck will stay running at its optimal level.
To warm up the truck, earlier Ted remotely had North Star initiate pre-start with the Hydrostatic systems charge pump to heat up the oil in the reservoir and circulate this warmed oil throughout the transmission components. This also has the engine use electricity from the batteries to warm up the block, fuel tanks, and lines. After half an hour, the start-up temperatures for both the engine and transmission have been reached, and Ted now hits the remote all-start button from his breakfast table at the diner.
“Hermes Sled” idles and warms up to operating temperature as the Compound Electric Hybrid is now also recharging the batteries for the electricity that had been just used. Oh, and of course to warm up Ted’s driver cabin very nicely. Finally, he is ready to hit the road and deliver the restock of bulk food items to the small town of Galena. With a fresh fill-up of bio-diesel in his 300-gallon capacity tanks, Ted knew that he had a 2,900 mile range and did not have to worry about getting stuck in the cold of Alaska. North Star will also direct him to charge stations if there are any along the way – so he can be sure to plug in the cables at stops where available to take advantage of that as well.
As Ted drove through the frozen terrain, he couldn't help but marvel at the beauty & majesty of the winter wonderland all around him. The sun was already starting to set, and he knew that he only had a couple more hours of daylight left. Very aware but also relaxed with the many benefits of his high-tech truck, he is better able to navigate some treacherous roads and deliver the needed goods to the people who are urgently looking for them. Ted is proud of the contribution he makes to help others.
Ted's journey through the frozen north is not without its challenges, but his dedication to his job and his love of travel and the confidence he has in his high-tech “Hermes Sled” keeps him smiling and looking forward to the road home - Victoria BC. He realizes that he is part of a movement towards a more sustainable and efficient transportation future, and he is proud to be doing his part. The winter nights will grow longer for a while and the temperatures drop even further, but even as Ted knew that he would face these upcoming challenges he keeps positive because the Compound Electric Hybrid inside of “Hermes Sled” is ready for Zero Emissions and anything that the Alaskan winter should throw at them.