Schneider to Test Freightliner eCascadia Through 2021

Schneider said it will test Freightliner's eCascadia through 2021 to address potential challenges to widespread adoption of electric trucks. (left: John Sommers II for Transport Topics; right: Daimler Trucks North America)

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Schneider, one of the nation’s largest diversified fleets, announced it will test the Freightliner eCascadia, a Class 8 tractor, through 2021 to address potential challenges to widespread use of commercial battery-electric vehicles.

As a member of the Freightliner Customer Experience Fleet, Green Bay, Wis.-based Schneider will provide data and observations to Freightliner, a unit of Daimler Trucks North America, to help the company improve on future vehicle design. Schneider also participates in Freightliner’s Electric Vehicle Council, which has 35 members and held its first meeting in October 2018.

“Schneider’s commitment to innovation is matched only by our commitment to operating sustainably,” Jake VandeLoo, vice president of equipment engineering for Schneider, said in a release. “Joining the Freightliner CX Fleet is a great opportunity to flex both of those muscles and help lead the industry in transitioning to more sustainable transportation options. From a driver’s perspective, they’ll experience a great ride. The truck is very quiet with little to no vibration, and a straight acceleration means there’s no real loss of power or torque. The overall feel is very smooth.”

VandeLoo

Schneider noted it will monitor processes and characteristics, such as:

• The best type of mode, freight characteristics and areas of operation for the vehicle’s charge range.
• The charging requirements to help maximize the duty cycle.
• Facility modifications needed to accommodate electric trucks.

Howard

“It’s critical that we collaborate with customers across multiple segments to further our understanding of how commercial battery-electric trucks will be part of a long-term solution in CO2-neutral transportation,” said Richard Howard, senior vice president of on-highway sales for DTNA.

Schneider ranks No. 5 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America and No. 18 on the Transport Topics Top 50 list of the largest logistics companies.

Freightliner announced the Customer Experience Fleet in March.

DTNA reported the planned start of series production for the Freightliner eCascadia is mid-2022, and the planned start of series production for the medium-duty Freightliner eM2 is late 2022.

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