Autocar and Rocsys partner on hands-free charging for electric truck fleets

Birmingham, Alabama-based vocational truck manufacturer Autocar LLC is collaborating with the global charging platform Rocsys to bring hands-free charging capabilities for Autocar’s electric terminal tractors.

The strategic alliance provides for operational deployment of terminal tractors powered by hands-free charging at distribution centers, inland ports and other logistics facilities.

“Hands-free charging is a pivotal advancement in the electrification of commercial vehicle fleets,” Autocar Chairman Andrew Taitz says. “We are delighted to partner with Rocsys and leverage their expertise in delivering cutting-edge hands-free charging solutions. This collaboration underscores our commitment to staying at the forefront of EV adoption and providing our customers with a broad range of powertrain solutions to support their specific needs.

"Providing hands-free charging for Autocar customers means they won’t have to piecemeal charging solutions together when they purchase EV trucks from us. All they need will come in one package—'always up’ EV trucks combined with nonmanual charging set up for them onsite. By eliminating the need for manual intervention, hands-free charging ensures uninterrupted and efficient charging operations round the clock, enhancing fleet productivity and sustainability.”

According to Crijn Bouman, CEO and co-founder of Rocsys, hands-free charging not only streamlines charging processes but also minimizes wear and tear on charging cables and connectors, ensuring reliable and rapid charging for electric fleets. Rocsys solutions are compatible with any high-power DC charging station using a CCS-1 charging connector, facilitating seamless integration with existing charging infrastructure.  

Rocsys uses a combination of soft robotics, computer vision technology and advanced AI to create a seamless charging process.