The electrification of the trucking industry continues as Mack has unveiled the new MD Electric.
The medium-duty truck looks virtually identical to its diesel-powered counterpart as it has a familiar front fascia with a Mack branded grille. We can also see a bronze bulldog hood ornament, LED headlights, and a steel front bumper.
While the model won’t be winning any awards for aerodynamics, the MD Electric will be available with Class 6 and Class 7 ratings as well as five different wheelbases ranging from 206 to 270 inches (5,232 to 6,858 mm). Other highlights include a maximum payload capacity of 19,400 lbs (8,800 kg) and a cab with an air suspension and an air ride seat.
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A big truck needs a big battery and Mack customers can get 150- or 240 kWh lithium-ion battery packs. The company estimates the latter should enable the model to have a range of up to 230 miles (370 km).
The battery powers a rear-mounted electric motor with a continuous output of 185 hp (138 kW / 188 PS) and 960 lb-ft (1,300 Nm) of torque. When the going gets tough, those numbers peak at 260 hp (194 kW / 264 PS) and 1,850 lb-ft (2,505 Nm).
When it comes time to charge, owners might want to call it a day as the truck only has a DC fast charging capacity of 80 kW. That’s dreadful and it means a ‘fast charge’ takes between 100 and 160 minutes. However it’s quicker than using the AC charging capacity of 19.2 kW, which will replenish the battery in between 6 and 11 hours.
The Mack MD Electric will be built in Virginia later this year and the company noted the model will be exempt from the 12 percent federal excise tax on heavy trucks.
