Freightliner » eCascadia

Daimler has introduced the company's first electric tractor in the US. The Freightliner eCascadia belongs to the so-called "Class 8". 730 hp (537 kW) electric motor is under the hood. 550 kWh, so much energy can save the batteries of the new electric tractor Freightliner eCascadia.

The eCascadia is a competitor to Tesla's SEMI introduced in 2017. Both electric trucks are in the Class 8, but Elon Musk announced an output of 1,044 hp (768 kW), distributed by four electric motors. More important: The Tesla Semi should come with range of 800 kilometers only.

Martin Daum, responsible for trucks and buses on the Daimler, announces a range of 400 kilometers. So about half as much as Tesla's SEMI. According to Daimler, the 550 kWh battery from Daimler can be recharged to 80 percent in 90 minutes in case of using a fast charger. The batteries are located at the axle ends.

The eCascadia is aimed at regional distribution and drayage applications. It’s capable of handling a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 80,000 lbs. The first batch of eCascadia trucks will be produced later this year and will be evaluated in real-world applications.