Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) CEO Roger Nielsen declared his company’s intentions for alternative power in trucking nearly two years ago.
“The road to emissions-free transportation is going to be driven with battery-electric vehicles,” Nielsen told the ACT Expo in April 2019. “I believe the future is electric.”
Throughout 2020, the No. 9 company in the FreightTech 25 recorded hundreds of thousands of battery-powered electric miles as it prepares for regular production of electric trucks. Daimler rose from No. 19 on the 2019 FreightTech 25.
The Freightliner eCascadia Class 8 tractor and Class 6 eM2 straight trucks quietly and sans tailpipe emissions completed hundreds of drayage runs to the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The eM2 models delivered groceries and other consumer goods.
Fleet operators NFI Industries and Penske Truck Leasing rolled up most of the 500,000 miles recorded on 30 trucks. A Customer Experience Fleet of eight more trucks placed single trucks with J.B. Hunt Transportation,and Schneider National among plans for 14 fleet trials before regular production begins in 2022.
* On approved credit