Fully electric long-haul tractors remain expensive and complex to operate: for a long range, they require heavy batteries and a developed charging infrastructure. American company Revoy has proposed an alternative approach – temporary hybridization of existing diesel trucks.

The module developed by the startup is installed between the semi-trailer tractor and the semi-trailer. Inside are a traction battery and an electric motor that assist the diesel engine during acceleration and movement under load. The system also supports regenerative braking, returning some of the energy back to the battery.

According to Revoy, the current version of the system provides electric assistance for up to 200 miles (about 320 km) for a truck with a gross vehicle weight of 80,000 pounds (about 36 tons). The company claims that the use of such a module can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 85% compared to a conventional diesel truck.

It is impossible to fully charge the battery solely through regeneration, so Revoy plans to create a network of special stations where drivers can quickly replace the module with a charged one. This approach resembles the concept of swappable batteries, but it is implemented not for the vehicle itself, but for a separate power unit.

The technology has already received permission from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for use on public roads. In 2024, the company launched a pilot project in conjunction with logistics operator Ryder, and commercial operation of the first route, approximately 320 km long near Portland, is planned to begin before the end of the year.

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