Daimler Truck Launches E-Freightliner Cascadia in Series

After well over a million test miles (over 1.6 million kilometers) in daily customer operations, Daimler Truck and its US brand Freightliner present the series version of the fully electric eCascadia. Production is scheduled to start in 2022. The e-Truck is based on the Cascadia, the best-selling truck for heavy long-distance transport (Class 8, > 15t GVW) in the North American market.

(Stuttgart/Portland) With the series vehicle, Freightliner now offers its customers a locally emission-free version. Initial deliveries are expected to begin in 2022, bringing Daimler Truck and its US customers a significant step closer to CO2-neutral transport.

Since 2018, Freightliner has been deploying a fleet of battery-electric trucks in daily transport operations together with customers to test the vehicles under real conditions. A wide range of applications is covered, including local deliveries, food distribution, and parcel delivery. The so-called Customer Experience (CX) test fleet of Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) consists of over 40 battery-electric Freightliner eCascadia and medium-duty Freightliner eM2 trucks, revolutionizing the testing process. With nearly 50 customers, the fully electric trucks have been rigorously tested in everyday transport. Leading US fleet operators such as Penske Truck Leasing, NFI, Knight-Swift, Schneider, Ryder, J.B. Hunt, and others are involved.

Range of up to 370 km

Combined with extensive development work and an intensive internal testing program with several prototypes, this resulted in a powerful and efficient fully electric truck with multiple battery and drive axle options. Depending on the vehicle configuration, the eCascadia offers a range of approximately 230 miles (370 km). The eCascadia is ideally suited for short distances that allow depot-based charging, such as last-mile logistics, local and regional distribution traffic, or warehouse-to-warehouse applications.

As part of its global platform strategy, Daimler Truck also relies on a globally uniform base architecture for fully electric trucks with the ePowertrain. Following the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz eActros last year and the Mercedes-Benz eEconic later this year, the Freightliner eCascadia is the next product where the ePowertrain is used in conjunction with the U.S. brand Detroit.

Choice of three battery options

The eCascadia is powered by an eAxle, which integrates an electric motor, transmission, and special electronics into a compact unit. The eCascadia is available with a single motor (320 HP) or a dual motor (470 HP). Customers can also choose between three battery options with different sizes and average charging times, starting with 194 kWh (one and a half to three hours), 291 kWh (two to four hours), and 438 kWh (two to six hours).

Fleet operators need powerful chargers

E-vehicles are only part of the ecosystem. Among other things, fleet operators need powerful chargers that reliably and efficiently deliver electricity. Detroit eConsulting is a customer-oriented solution aimed at making electrification manageable for transport fleets. Dedicated Daimler Truck consulting teams assist in planning the necessary infrastructure and offer a comprehensive portfolio of Detroit eFill chargers for a seamless and efficient charging solution.

Key technical data:

• 320–470 HP
• Range of 230 miles or 370 km (depending on vehicle configuration)
• Multiple battery options delivering up to nearly 440 kWh of energy
• Recharge to 80 percent in about 90 minutes
• Up to 37t max. permissible total weight

Photos: © Daimler Truck