Daimler Trucks has reported wrapping up the pre-production tests of its new Freightliner eCascadia EV, a semi-truck expected to be delivered later this year. Buyers will choose between two powertrains and three batteries, the middle one offering 370 km (230 miles) of range.
The truck comes rated for 37 metric tons (80,000 lbs) of towed weight and embodies four years of research and real-cycle pre-production testing. Daimler notes that sample trucks have already been handed out to five dozen U.S. customers, including major logistics companies. Prototypes have already covered more than a million miles (1.6 million kilometers) on test tracks.
When it reaches the factory, the truck will be assembled with a single electric motor rated at 370 PS (365 hp / 272 kW) and two motors jointly rated at 470 PS (464 hp / 346 kW). Batteries will come in three flavors: 194, 291 and 438 kilowatt-hours. Depending on your chosen spec and the charging source, replenishing one from zero to 100% full can take between 1.5 and 6 hours.
All prices remain to be announced.
The move by Daimler AG undercuts the Tesla Semi, a truck set to go into production in 2023 after numerous delays. Tesla is already accepting pre-orders starting at $20,000.