Daimler AG has introduced its two new battery-powered trucks for the US market as part of its efforts to fend off its main competitors in the race to electrify big rigs: Tesla Inc., Volvo AB and Volkswagen AG.
At its North American headquarters in Portland, Oregon, Daimler unveiled the eCascadia, part of the Freightliner brand – a highway hauler that can go up to 250 miles (400km) between charges. The eM2, a smaller model, can go up to 230 miles between charges and is intended for local deliveries.
Martin Daum, head of Daimler Trucks, left no room for doubt that this move poses a challenge to the company’s rivals: ‘We are the undisputed global leader of the trucking industry and we intend to remain in that position with electric trucks and buses.’
Perhaps the biggest threat to its position comes from Elon Musk’s Tesla, which has announced its plans to produce a semi trailer with a range of 500 miles by 2020. But Volkswagen is also in the frame, with plans to spend $1.7 billion to develop electric drivetrains and autonomous truck technology.
Investing in R&D
Further to the above, Daimler will be establishing a research and development centre for autonomous trucks in Portland, which will collaborate with existing research facilities in Germany and India. More than €2.5 billion will be invested into these R&D efforts in 2018 and 2019, with about 20% earmarked for electrification.