DTNA Launches Second Program With Customers to Test Electric Trucks
[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]
Daimler Trucks North America announced six heavy-duty Freightliner eCascadias and two medium-duty eM2 106 all-electric trucks were included in the launch of its customer experience fleet initiative as part of its electric truck program.
The step is intended to engage customers in the commercial electric-vehicle development process by deploying trucks in real-world applications, according to the Portland,Ore.-based truck maker. At least 14 customers who collectively represent more than 150,000 of all Classes 6-8 trucks currently on the road in the U.S. will help test the new electric fleet.
The participating fleets are members of the Freightliner Electric Vehicle Council, a group of customers working with the truck maker to identify and address potential hurdles to large-scale deployment of commercial battery-electric vehicles. Over the next 22 months, DTNA will collect and analyze data and feedback from the customer experience fleet to continue to improve upon future vehicle design and assist customers navigating a transition to electric fleets.
Introducing the @Freightliner Customer Experience Fleet. This new all-electric initiative will include truck operation by at least 14 different customers who collectively represent more than 150,000 of all Class 6-8 trucks currently on the road in the U.S. #LeadingTheCharge — Daimler Trucks NA (@DaimlerTrucksNA) March 3, 2020
The Class 8 eCascadia is designed for local and regional distribution and drayage; the eM2 is a Classes 6-7 truck designed for local distribution, pickup and delivery, food and beverage delivery, and last-mile logistics applications.
The Freightliner customer experience fleet adds to the 30-vehicle Freightliner electric innovation fleet, which started operation in late 2018 to provide feedback and real-world use data on the integration of battery-electric trucks in large-scale fleet operations. The Freightliner electric innovation fleet recently surpassed 100,000 cumulative miles of operation. — Transport Topics
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing:
