Freightliner’s all-electric trucks will soon become
a common sight on U.S. streets, as the Daimler-owned manufacturer has delivered
the first eM2 units. The eM2 is Freightliner’s first zero-emissions medium-duty truck and
the first 30 e-trucks have been handed over to Penske Truck Leasing Corporation
in Los Angeles.
Daimler Trucks says it’s the first OEM worldwide
that has begun testing electric trucks of all segments in collaboration with
clients. Penske Truck Leasing Corporation will operate the electric truck in
local distribution traffic in the Northwest Pacific and in California. Next
year, it will receive another 20 fully-electric Freightliner trucks: 10
medium-duty eM2s and 10 heavy-duty eCascadias.
The delivery marks Daimler Trucks’ start of
day-to-day operation testing of heavy-duty and medium-duty e-trucks in the
United States. Freightliner estimates it will begin series production of the
eM2 and eCascadia trucks in 2021.
The eM2 is classified as a medium-duty truck (6 to
12 tonnes/13,227-26,445 lbs). Intended for local distribution and last-mile
delivery services, the e-truck offers a range of up to 370 km.
Charging the 325 kWh batteries to up to 80 percent capacity takes about 60
minutes and results in a driving range of roughly 300 km, while The
truck’s electric motor offers up to 480 hp.
