Freightliner is now delivering the electric eCascadia truck to customers

On August 12, 2019, Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) announced that they are ready to start deliveries of their eCascadia all-electric semi trucks to customers.

According to Freightliner, Penske Truck Leasing and NFI will be the first companies to employ the eCascadia in their commercial operations. The trucks are part of the Freightliner Electric Innovation fleet but are not the final product. Regular production models are set to be released in 2021. 

eCascadia

The eCascadia is built on the foundation of the proven Freightliner Cascadia, a best seller heavy duty truck on the market. The expectation is that the electric Cascadia must perform as well as a turbo diesel-powered vehicle.

The eCascadia has 4 electric motors (2 on each axle) that draws power from a 550-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, 730 horsepower and can travel up to 250 miles.

“This milestone in electric is important as both today and tomorrow’s technology is progressing. Our purpose is resolute – we build for our customers,” said Roger Nielsen, president and CEO of DTNA. “Our team is incredibly proud to be leading the way for the industry, but prouder still to be working with our customers in a process of co-creation to make real electric trucks for real work in the real world.”

The companies integrating with Cascadia will need to provide feedback for Freightliner on:

  • Charging infrastructure
  • How the truck is being used
  • eCascadia’s perfomance
  • Whether or not the companies using eCascadia are partnering with other electric mobility companies

Freightliner will work with Penske and NFI’s feedback to improve the eCascadia and eM2 models for mass production.

Freightliner Electric Innovation Fleet

The Freightliner Electric Innovation Fleet is built on the support of DTNA and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) which partially funded the Innovation Fleet with an almost $16M grant.

“This is an exciting time for the future of zero-emissions trucks, said Wayne Nastri, South Coast AQMD’s Executive Officer. “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.”

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