# 70% Emissions Cut by Electrifying Trailers: The Green Future of Trucking

- Show: [Hardware to Save a Planet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet)
- Published: 2025-06-05
- Length: 41m
- Episode: 80
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-06-05-70-emissions-cut-by-electrifying-trailers-the-green-future-of-trucking
- Listen: https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2n6qypj8-70-emissions-cut-by-electrifying-trailers-jason-chua

## Summary

Jason Chua, Chief Product Officer at Range Energy, explains how their Volton retrofit kit reduces Class 8 diesel truck emissions by 70% without replacing existing tractors. The system integrates a battery pack (2-300 kWh), an electric axle, and a smart sensor suite to provide propulsive assistance and power auxiliary loads like refrigeration units. Chua highlights that this modular approach allows fleets to extend the range of electric tractors and achieve a 3-5 year payback period through fuel savings, particularly for reefer fleets. The company is currently in advanced pilot phases with major fleets, aiming for production deliveries later this year.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-06-05-70-emissions-cut-by-electrifying-trailers-the-green-future-of-trucking#t=0) Introduction: Jason Chua and Range Energy's Volton Retrofit
- [4:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-06-05-70-emissions-cut-by-electrifying-trailers-the-green-future-of-trucking#t=259) Chua's Career: From Google Project Ara to Aviation and Ground Transport
- [6:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-06-05-70-emissions-cut-by-electrifying-trailers-the-green-future-of-trucking#t=397) The Challenge of Decarbonizing Heavy-Duty Trucking
- [8:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-06-05-70-emissions-cut-by-electrifying-trailers-the-green-future-of-trucking#t=501) How the Volton Kit Works: Battery, E-Axle, and Sensors
- [12:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-06-05-70-emissions-cut-by-electrifying-trailers-the-green-future-of-trucking#t=758) Range Extension for Electric Tractors and Fleet Flexibility
- [17:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-06-05-70-emissions-cut-by-electrifying-trailers-the-green-future-of-trucking#t=1055) Operational Integration and Driver Experience
- [20:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-06-05-70-emissions-cut-by-electrifying-trailers-the-green-future-of-trucking#t=1224) Technical Innovation: Smart Sensor Suite and Control Algorithms
- [26:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-06-05-70-emissions-cut-by-electrifying-trailers-the-green-future-of-trucking#t=1583) Customer Motivations: Cost Savings, Payback, and Regulatory Trends
- [32:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-06-05-70-emissions-cut-by-electrifying-trailers-the-green-future-of-trucking#t=1920) Industry Partnerships: Thermo King and OEM Relations
- [36:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-06-05-70-emissions-cut-by-electrifying-trailers-the-green-future-of-trucking#t=2160) Future Outlook: Multi-Fuel Trucking and Aviation Insights

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Range Energy (company)
- Volton (product)
- Universal Hydrogen (company)
- Google (company)
- Project Ara (product)
- United Technologies (company)
- Airbus (company)
- Rimora (company)
- Lightship (company)
- Thermo King (company)
- Freightliner (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Boeing (company)
- Ziravia (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Cracking the code on autonomous trucking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-05-07-cracking-the-code-on-autonomous-trucking) (Catalyst)
- [Mark Hanchett | Atlis Motor Vehicles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-09-23-mark-hanchett-atlis-motor-vehicles) (Being an Engineer)
- [Electrifying aviation with Kyle Clark of BETA Technologies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-24-electrifying-aviation-with-kyle-clark-of-beta-technologies) (How I Built This)
- [85. The Future of EVs: Hydrogen Hybrids and Plug & Play Platform](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-08-30-85-the-future-of-evs-hydrogen-hybrids-and-plug-play-platform) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Guiding Agriculture Into the Digital Age](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-04-20-guiding-agriculture-into-the-digital-age) (Over the Air)

## Citing this page

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