As the electric vehicle revolution continues, newer models are hitting the market almost every day. Notable car manufacturer Daimler is throwing its hat into the electric vehicle market with its latest release. Dubbed simply as the Daimler eCascadia Freightliner, it is the first of its kind as it is a semi-truck.
Most electric vehicles to hit the market since the revolution started are sedans and SUVs. Battery packs are one of the most limiting factors when it comes to this niche of the market since they are the main factor that determines a generator's power and mileage. With this in mind, it is hard for manufacturers to integrate electric technology into trucks and semi-trucks.
This is not the first Freightliner that Daimler released into the market. The first model that Daimler released was the box truck. However, the company is entering new heights with the release of the semi-truck.
The name eCascadia is a reference to Daimler's line of Cascadia semi-trucks. The only difference is that the company took out the internal combustion engine, and in its place now sits a 550-kWh battery pack that powers the semi-trucks' battery-electric powertrain.
One of the most crucial feature when it comes to electric vehicles is mileage. The Daimler eCascadia is rated to reach 250 miles on a single charge. Daimler also claims that when charged into an appropriate charging point, the semi-truck can replenish 80 percent of its battery in just as little as 90 minutes.
Daimler said that the eCascadia will not be released into full production. Instead, the company plans to have the first few models to be released as part of its "Freightliner Innovation Fleet." Once it has gained enough attention from the masses, Daimler will then switch into full production mode by late 2021. Two companies have already signed in to add the Daimler eCascadia into their fleet - NFI and Penske.
With the release of the Daimler eCascadia, Daimler has, in essence, beaten electric car pioneer Tesla in the semi-truck market. Regarding Tesla's timeline, the company has promised that production of its own electric semi-truck will start soon. However, the company has yet to confirm an official release date. Instead of going into full production, the company instead utilized its Tesla Semi in order to deliver other Tesla vehicles.
Daimler has promised to release a number of electric vehicles into the market within the near future. Aside from the eCascadia, Daimler also unveiled the Fuso eCanter, and an electric school bus.
