eCascadia to go into series production

After well over one million-miles (1.6 million kilometres) of testing in daily customer operations, Daimler Truck and its U.S. Freightliner brand recently unveiled the all-electric eCascadia that will enter series production in 2022.

The eCascadia is built on the best-selling heavy-duty truck platform in North America, and customer deliveries are expected to begin in this year, bringing Daimler Truck and the company's U.S. customers one step further towards CO2-neutral transportation.

Since 2018, Freightliner has deployed electric trucks with customers to run freight in the real world covering a wide breadth of applications including local delivery, food distribution, and parcel delivery.

Comprised of over 40 battery-electric Freightliner eCascadias and eM2s, the Freightliner Electric Innovation and Customer Experience (CX) Fleets have transformed the testing process by putting trucks into the hands of almost 50 customers, including leading U.S. fleets such as Penske Truck Leasing, NFI, Knight-Swift, Schneider, Ryder, J.B. Hunt and others.

Along with extensive development and rigorous testing through several prototypes, this resulted in a powerful and efficient battery-electric truck with multiple battery and drive-axle options, providing a typical range of 370km (depending on vehicle configurations).

Freightliner says the eCascadia is ideally suited for short-haul routes that allow for depot-based charging, examples of which include last mile logistics, local and regional distribution, and warehouse-to-warehouse applications.

Related reading:
Daimler introduces Detroit ePowertrain
Freightliner reveals its electric reality
California mandates electric trucks

Within the context of its global platform strategy, Daimler Truck is deploying a globally uniform basic architecture for all-electric trucks: the ePowertrain. After the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz eActros last year and the Mercedes-Benz eEconic later this year, the Freightliner eCascadia is the next product to feature the in-house developed ePowertrain in connection with Daimler Truck North America’s Detroit brand.

The eCascadia is driven by an eAxle integrated with an electric motor, transmission and specialised electronics within a compact unit. It is available with a dual motor (470hp) or a single motor (320hp).

Customers can chose between three battery options for a range of sizes and average, zero-to-full 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).

Electric trucks are just one part of the overall electric ecosystem. Among other considerations, fleet operators looking to integrate electric trucks into their operations need capable chargers to reliably and efficiently provide power. Detroit eConsulting is a customer-focused solution with the goal of making electrification for fleets approachable.

Dedicated consulting teams assist with the planning for customers’ needed infrastructure, and offer a comprehensive line of Detroit eFill Chargers for a seamless and efficient charging solution.

eCascadia Key Facts:
Power: 320-470hp
Range: Typical range of 230 miles or 370 km (depending on vehicle configurations)
Batteries: Multiple battery options and maximum capacity of almost 440 kWh
Charging: Recharge of 80 per cent in approximately 90 minutes
Weights: Up to 37,000kg max GCW (Gross Combination Weight)