Southern California Edison recently used a battery-electric Class 8 Freightliner eCascadia to deliver an electrical transformer to a Schneider trucking terminal in Los Angeles, which will be used to support Schneider’s deployment of battery-electric trucks.

SCE and Schneider are both participants in Daimler Trucks North America’s Freightliner Customer Experience Fleet, operating eCascadias to develop information to be used in future purchasing plans and provide feedback to DTNA as the company readies to launch the production version of the eCascadia in 2022.

“Schneider’s commitment to sustainability is getting a significant boost with the installation of our charging array at our Southern California terminal,” said Schneider Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Rob Reich in a press release from DTNA. “We are on the path to a cleaner future.”

Schneider plans to use the eCascadia in local and regional delivery and pick up. Through the course of operation, Schneider will analyze the best type of load, freight characteristics and areas of operation for the vehicle’s range, charging requirements to help maximize duty cycle, and determine what additional facility modifications are needed to accommodate electric trucks.

SCE is the first utility to test an electric truck from Freightliner and began using the eCascadia in November of 2020 for material transport, and moving heavy equipment like transformers, wire reels and switch gears.

The charger installation was overseen by the eConsulting group of DTNA, which assists Freightliner customers with navigating the EV ecosystem as they place electric trucks into operation. Services include charging and infrastructure assessment and planning and optimization.

Freightliner’s CX Fleet is partially supported by a partnership between DTNA and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which focuses on improving air quality in large portions of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley.