First trucks will be delivered to customers in the U.S. and Canada, as Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) has commenced series production of the Freightliner eM2, a battery electric medium-duty truck designed for pick-up and delivery applications.
Utilizing existing tech
The eM2 is built on the Freightliner M2 106 Plus platform and follows the introduction of the battery electric Freightliner eCascadia in 2022. The eM2 features a proprietary, fully integrated, battery electric Detroit ePowertrain, placing electric motors and a 2-speed transmission directly on the drive axles, resulting in minimized energy cost per mile.
The class 6 single-motor model provides up to 190 continuous horsepower, a 194 kWh battery, and a typical range of 180 miles on a single charge.
In contrast, the class 7 dual-motor variant offers up to 255 continuous horsepower, supported by a 291 kWh battery, providing a typical range of 250 miles on a single charge.
Manufacturing hub
The first production units in the U.S. will be delivered to Ferguson, Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc., Penske Truck Leasing, PITT OHIO, Ryder System, Inc., TITAN Freight Systems and Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing.
In Canada, the first units will go to Brossard Leasing and Day & Ross.
“The start of production for this versatile truck marks another important milestone on our journey to a zero-emissions product line, said Rakesh Aneja, head of eMobility at DTNA.
“The feedback we’ve received reinforces our confidence that the Freightliner eM2 will meet and exceed our customers’ expectations. Our partners and dealers are looking forward to introducing the Freightliner eM2 to their customers, and we are excited to see it in use by customers and fleets,” added Aneja.
Safety first
Thanks to its proprietary battery side impact protection and the Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems, the eM2 upholds DTNA’s high safety standards.
Standard safety features now include Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA5), Tailgate Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) down to 0 mph, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent High-Beams, Automatic Wipers/Headlamps, and Side Guard Assist.
This connectivity enables efficient route planning, energy optimization, and post-trip data analysis to improve overall energy efficiency.