J.B. Hunt Transport got first dibs on a Freightliner heavy-duty eCascadia in an expanded customer outreach that Daimler Trucks North America hopes will amp fleet interest in when it begins taking orders in late 2021.
Daimler Trucks North America has named Rainer Müller-Finkeldei the new senior vice president of engineering and technology.
Freightliner’s test fleet of 30 electric trucks has circled the world an equivalent of a dozen times as they make drayage runs and a variety of deliveries in Southern California. Daimler Trucks North America plans regular production of electric trucks in 2022.
The varied duty cycles of regional haul trucks doesn’t prioritize fuel savings – the second-largest operating expense – according to the North American Council for Freight Efficiency.
Customers and society are demanding more environmentally friendly vehicles, including electric, and manufacturers are trying to meet those demands with smart business decisions that meet the key imperative of any commercial vehicle: to make money.
Diesel-electric hybrids get less attention than pure electric Class 8 trucks, but niche leader Hyliion Inc. is selling them to Penske Truck Leasing with partner Dana Inc.’s Spicer Electrified components.
With predictable short-haul drayage round trips from inland California to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, battery-powered trucks could account for up to half of NFI Industries’ 4,000-truck fleet by mid-decade.
Electric trucks in big numbers are still years away, but interest among truck makers and fleets is widespread and growing.
Add Werner Enterprises to the parade of companies testing battery-powered heavy-duty trucks in California.
Ryder is partnering with In-Charge Energy and ABB to make transition to electric vehicles easier.
