One of the biggest car-making companies in the world, Daimler, is changing the game of commercial transportation and protecting the environment at the same time, with its new electric trucks. An example of the electric truck from Daimler. (Image via Daimler)
At first, it was the electric car, but now self-driving cars are all the rage. Many believe that only non- commercial vehicles can be autonomous. However, the reality is that every automotive company is in the run for both self-driven and electric vehicles. It might appear as pure competition, but the next generation of cars will shape the image and role companies play in the protection of the environment. One of the companies in the race is Daimler, the German multinational corporation that gave birth to Mercedes-Benz and many other leading vehicle-making companies.
Ferociously investing in electric trucks, Daimler is focused on the type of trucks that transport freights and commute from ports and railroad stations to warehouses. Smaller in size, such trucks are probably easier to electrify and cost-effective. The automaker recently unveiled its work by introducing the electric version of two freight trucks including the eM2, a Freightliner inspired by the M2 line but dedicated to local deliveries. The second truck is the eCascadia: bigger than the eM2, it is an electric version of the Cascadia line Freightliner. Fully charged, these trucks can drive between 200 and 250 miles, which comes down to an average of 150 miles every day. To reduce the cost of energy and probably the amount of CO2 liberated in the atmosphere, it makes sense to turn to electric power to power the trucks. Although, the project may sound exciting to many, Daimler is playing it safe and only putting out about 30 vehicles for a select group of partners to try later this year.
According to the CEO of Daimler Trucks in North America, Roger Nielsen in an interview with Engadget, the engineers working on the project will use the data collected during the trial period to evaluate the durability of the batteries that power the vehicles. The goal is to see if the batteries last 500,000 miles or 10 years based on the average miles per day. If they do handle the 10-year mark, how much further would they go?
Meanwhile, Daimler will open a research and development center for automated trucks in Portland. It appears that the center will only supervise the development of semi-autonomous trucks. The CEO of Daimler believes that it will be safer for the company not to attempt to lead the way for fully autonomous trucks. It sure is a risk since the world is not acquainted with a fully autonomous non-commercial vehicle and the concept is still in development. Regardless, Daimler is setting an example for all commercial vehicles makers, and that move will surely affect the way business handle transportation and delivery. Furthermore, putting electric trucks on the roads will earn the company some bonus points with the environment protection agencies.
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