Daimler Truck adds medium-duty electric truck

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has unveiled the series production model of the all-new, fully electric Freightliner eM2 for urban delivery applications. The eM2 is ready to order and will start production this fall.

Daimler Truck North America has unveiled the series production model of its electric Freightliner eM2 for urban delivery applications. (Photo: Daimler Truck)

With this new truck, DTNA is extending its lineup for series built electric vehicles for the North American market, accompanying the Freightliner eCascadia Class 8 tractor, the iconic electric schoolbus Jouley from Thomas Built Buses and the electric walk-in van platform FCCC MT50e.

Built on the Freightliner M2 106 Plus platform, the Class 6/7 eM2 expands CO2-neutral transportation to the medium-duty segment. DTNA is beginning full production of the eM2 this autumn at its Portland truck manufacturing plant in Oregon.

The eM2 has a typical range of 180 miles (290 km) for the Class 6 version and 250 miles (400 km) for Class 7. The vehicle incorporates a fully integrated, proprietary battery electric Detroit ePowertrain, including Detroit eAxles and batteries. The Detroit eAxles package the electric motor and two-speed transmission directly onto the axles.The Class 6 version utilizes a single-motor axle, while the Class 7 vehicle has a dual-motor axle.

Multiple battery size options are available, allowing customers to find the right balance between range/runtime and price, the company said. The Class 6 powertrain provides up to 190 continuous hp, a 194 kWh battery and a typical range of 180 miles (290 km) on one charge. The Class 7 powertrain provides up to 255 continuous hp, a 291 kWh battery and a typical range of 250 miles (400 km) on one charge. The Class 6 eM2 can be charged to 80% in approximately one hour, while the Class 7 version can charge to 80% in approximately 90 minutes.

Together with the eCascadia, the eM2 has clocked up more than 1.5 million test kilometres with customers - each in a variety of real-world applications in nearly 50 fleets on the West Coast, in New Jersey and Canada.