First Freightliner eCascadia Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks Start Field Testing In California

Daimler Trucks’ Freightliner brand has delivered its first heavy-duty eCascadia electric trucks in North America to American customers Penske Truck Leasing and NFI Industries.

The delivery of the first units marks the start of field tests for Freightliner’s heavy-duty electric truck. Penske and NFI ave been field-testing the medium-duty, fully-electric Freightliner eM2 since the end of 2018.

A rival to Tesla’s upcoming Semi, the eCascadia has a maximum output of 730 horsepower and offers a driving range of up to 250 miles (400 kilometers). Based on the regular Cascadia launched in 2016, the fully-electric version packs 550 kWh batteries that can be recharged to roughly 80 percent within 90 minutes, thus extending the range by another 200 miles (320 kilometers).

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Penske will be operating the e-truck in regional traffic in Southern California, while NFI will use it in drayage operations at both the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The two units delivered to Penske and NFI this week are the first heavy-duty trucks in Freightliner’s innovative fleet which includes a total of 30 electric vehicles. The market launch for regular customers of the Cascadia and the eM2 is currently planned for 2021.

Daimler Trucks & Buses is currently testing several all-electric models including the Mercedes-Benz eActros, FUSO eCanter, Mercedes-Benz eCitaro city bus, and Thomas Built Saf-T Liner C2 Jouley school bus.