eFreightliner supplied to US companies ahead of manufacturing start
Daimler has signed the first contracts for its new range of electric Freightliner eCascadias and eM2s, currently on offer in the USA, pledging to work with the companies to find the best ways to use the vehicles.
The company will supply ten Freightliner eCascadia heavy duty trucks and ten medium duty eM2s for to Penske Truck Leasing Corporation, for local operations in the Northwest Pacific and in California.
Logistics specialist company NFI Industries will also get ten eCascadias for drayage activities from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to warehouses in California’s Inland Empire metro region.
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In its announcement, Daimler says it will be testing electrified trucks for all weight classes with costumers until end of 2018, working with the customers on route planning, development of charging infrastructure and vehicle service support.
Daimler board member for trucks and buses Martin Daum says the company is now entering its “co-creation” phase, as it prepares to start series production of the electrified trucks by 2021.
“We want to lead in the field of e-trucks. In Penske and NFI, we found innovative partners with whom we take on the challenge together,” he says.
Penske Truck Leasing president and CEO Brian Hard says his company has had a long collaborative relationship working with Daimler and its Freightliner brand.
“We are encouraged by the progress Daimler has made with their electric vehicle platforms for heavy duty and medium duty applications,” he says.
“We look forward to our continued cooperation and co-creation with Daimler on these electric vehicles as we operate them within our expansive logistics, truck leasing and rental fleets.”
NFI CEO Sid Brown says his company values collaboration to find and develop better products and processes.
“Freightliner is known for bringing practical, transformative solutions to market. We’re proud to partner with them in development of the Freightliner Electric Innovation Fleet,” he says.
“We fully expect it to be successful and a significant benefit to an untold number of people and communities.”