February 03, 2023

Does Hyliion’s Hypertruck ERX Beat BEVs at Their Own Game?

25 minutes

When Hyliion’s natural gas-powered long-range ERX (electric range extender) Hypertruck hits the streets later this year, it’s expected to be marginally lighter and less expensive (after incentives and credits) than midrange battery electric trucks. Company founder and CEO, Thomas Healy says it has up to 1,000 miles of range including up to 75 zero-emissions miles on batteries only. Hyliion is betting big that’s enough to peak truckers’ interest.

This episode is sponsored by Scaper Systems.

HDT’s Equipment Editor Jim Park went to Hyliion’s Austin, Texas, headquarters to drive the ERX in late 2022. After the drive, he sat down with Thomas Healy to talk about the thinking behind the ERX, the benefits of range-extender configurations, and the GHG reduction potential of renewable natural gas. Is it a viable alternative to pure battery electric? Will it help us transition from diesel to some form of zero-emissions truck, or is the ERX all we really need?

What’s in this episode:

Getting past our previous experience with natural gas engines

Does natural gas have a future?

ERX and emissions reduction credits

How much does an ERX Hypertruck cost?

The pathway to hydrogen

Getting the truck to market

... and more!

🏫 Resources

Hyliion

HDT Hyliion Test Drive

Hyliion Virtual Ride and Drive