Daimler Launches Electric Freightliners

Daimler has announced two new electric big rigs. It expects the two electric Freightliners to enter customer testing this year, with production in 2021.

The first is the Freightliner eCascadia, an electric version of the company's Cascadia class 8 truck. It's the first time that Daimler has electrified a full heavy-duty rig, the Mercedes-Benz eActros electrics that are currently testing in Europe are smaller medium-duty trucks.

The eCascadia has electric motors that produce 730 hp, more than most diesel-powered trucks. The massive 550 kWh battery pack (nearly 14 times the capacity of a new Nissan Leaf's pack) lets the truck haul a full 36 tonne combined weight and gives a range of up to 400 km.

Daimler says that range is enough for long-distance operation and that the battery can be charged up to 80 percent in 90 minutes. The 80 percent charge gives a range of 320 km.

The medium-duty Freightliner eM2 106 is aimed at local distribution and last-mile service. The 325 kWh pack and 480 hp electric motor provide a 370 km range with the ability to change to 300 km in 60 minutes.

By the end of the year, Daimler expects to have 30 models of these with customers for real-world fleet testing. Production is expected for 2021, which is the same timeframe the company gave for the eActros in Europe.

Daimler Trucks also announced that it has opened a new research and development centre in Portland, OR. The centre is working with similar facilities in Stuttgart and Bangalore to help develop self driving trucks. Daimler is spending €500 million in 2018 and 2019 on research for automated driving in commercial vehicles.