Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has built the first two Class 8 electric Freightliner eCascadias. The heavy-duty trucks will join Freightliner’s 30-vehicle Electric Innovation Fleet.

The 38 members of Freightliner’s Electric Vehicle Council will offer feedback on the trucks during real-world operations, which will help inform the final production of the eCascadia and the medium-duty eM2 model. The first two eCascadias will be tested by Penske Truck Leasing of Reading, Pennsylvania and NFI of Camden, New Jersey. Additional Freightliner Electric Innovation Fleet deliveries will continue throughout 2019.

The eCascadia and eM2 are scheduled to enter production in late 2021.

The Freightliner Innovation Fleet is supported by a $16-million grant from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD).

“We build for our customers,” said Roger Nielsen, CEO of DTNA. “Our team is incredibly proud to be…working with our customers in a process of co-creation to make real electric trucks for real work in the real world.”

Wayne Nastri, South Coast AQMD’s Executive Officer, said, “As we work towards meeting air quality standards, it is imperative that truck manufacturers accelerate the commercialization of these technologies that will help clean our air and protect public health.”

Source: Daimler