Daimler Trucks has set up a new business unit, the E-Mobility Group, headed up by Gesa Reimelt. The OEM also announced two new, fully-electric trucks from Freightliner, its US truck brand. Daimler Trucks revealed the Freightliner eCascadia, a heavy-duty electric truck for long-distance operations, and a fully-electric variant of the Freightliner eM2 106 for the medium segment. Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) plans to hand over a fleet of around 30 electric trucks to its first customers in the USA in 2018.
“We are the undisputed global leader of the trucking industry and we intend to remain in that position with electric trucks and buses,” said Martin Daum, member of the Daimler board of management for trucks and buses. “We were first-movers on electric trucks and strive to set the standard in each relevant segment. With the formation of our new global E-Mobility Group, we will maximize the impact of our investments in this key strategic technology. Thus, we can pursue the best solutions in batteries, charging solutions and energy management.”
The E-Mobility Group (EMG) will define the strategy for electric components and complete electric vehicles, and develop a standardized, global electric architecture similar to Daimler Truck’s global platform strategy for conventional engines and drive components. The EMG’s employees work throughout the company’s worldwide development network. On July 1, Reimelt, currently head of product projects powertrain and eDrive for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, will become head of the new, cross-divisional organization.
“We expect increasing demand for electric trucks and buses, and are also receiving these signals from our customers,” explained Frank Reintjes, member of the divisional board of management, Daimler Trucks and Buses, responsible for global powertrain and manufacturing engineering.
“Only manufacturers who lead the field in both conventional drive systems and electric drive systems are able to offer convincing solutions, technically and business-wise. With regard to conventional powertrains, we have always benefited from our worldwide platform strategy.
“We will also be taking this approach for electric drive systems in the future. To this end, we are establishing the E-Mobility Group in which our experts from all functions around the world will work together on the best e-systems.”
The Freightliner eCascadia will generate 740ps, with its 550kWh of batteries providing enough energy for a range of up to 400km (250 miles). The truck can be recharged to around 80% within 90 minutes to cover a further 320km (200 miles).
The Freightliner eM2 106 is intended for local distribution operations and last-mile delivery services. The batteries of the new electric version provide 325kWh for up to 487ps. The range of the eM2 is around 370km (230 miles), and the batteries can be recharged to around 80% within 60 minutes, sufficient for a range of around 300km (184 miles).
