Daimler Truck North America (DNTA) plans to add four battery-electric Freightliner eCascadia semitrucks to the truckmaker's own fleet. The battery-electric Class 8 trucks will support the company’s inbound logistics network, picking up and delivering parts throughout the Pacific Northwest.
"By integrating electric trucks into our inbound logistics network, we aim to reduce our environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future that goes beyond truck development and manufacturing," said Jeff Allen, senior vice president, operations and specialty vehicles of DTNA. "Sustainability is a cornerstone of our corporate governance. We take the associated responsibility for our employees, for the environment and for society as a whole very seriously."
The eCascadia has a projected range of 155 to 230 miles depending on battery and axle configuration. This year Schneider National, a fleet partner of DTNA, accrued over a million miles using 92 eCascadias.
Read more: DTNA opens first heavy duty electric truck charging site
In Portland, the four electric trucks will bring parts to the company’s consolidation center and act as their home base, where they will have easy access to DTNA’s “Electric Island” charging infrastructure. “Electric Island” is a heavy-duty electric truck charging site in Portland next to DTNA’s headquarters that opened in 2021. The site features eight charging stations suitable for electric cars, buses, box vans, and semitrucks.
DTNA is also working towards incorporating CO₂-neutral production at its remaining truck manufacturing plants over the next year. The OEM is also developing ways to optimize the lifecycle of the truck's lithium-ion batteries. This includes remanufacturing, repurposing, and end-of-life recycling.
