PacLease presented keys for two Peterbilt Model 579 EV Day Cabs to Truck King, a Dallas-area trucking company. The day cabs, on a full-service lease through PacLease Dallas, will be used for local line-haul operations — running approximately 100 miles roundtrip. 

“This lease with Truck King represents the beginning of a new journey as PacLease increases its presence of leasing and renting electric Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks,” said Ken Roemer, president of Paccar Leasing in a statement. “The dominoes are beginning to fall and with other orders being filled soon — we’re on our way.” 

Truck King operates 65 trucks in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex — a mix of flatbed and box trucks — hauling components used in manufacturing for local companies.

“We did a cost analysis on maintenance and fuel for our diesel trucks compared to leasing EV trucks from PacLease and we saw that it was a smart move on our part to look at the future,” added Cole Smith, president and CEO of Truck King. “And since PacLease opened the door for us in getting grant money from the state of Texas, the cost difference wasn’t that far off.” 

With the growing emphasis on emission reduction and the emerging electric truck market, PacLease has invested in a robust charging infrastructure, certified technicians, and Kenworth and Peterbilt medium and heavy-duty electric truck models at its U.S.-based Paccar Leasing company stores.

“This spring, our electric rental trucks will make their debut in Texas,” Roemer said. “We plan to add EV units at other locations throughout the year as well.

“Grants, infrastructure, chargers and qualified/trained support at our service facility, are all part of PacLease’s investment in this new technology. Our partners at Kenworth and Peterbilt have dedicated staff to work and secure grants for customers interested in leasing or purchasing electric trucks. This helps drive down the lease rate. Coupled with the savings of using electricity, electric trucks can be more affordable than one might think,” he added.

While PacLease is building out charging stations at some of its locations, the company will also work with its customers to help them power up their own locations.

“We’re actively working with local utility companies to come up with the right power plan,” Roemer said. “And, through Paccar Parts, we can provide charging stations that meet the electrical needs — all of which can be built into the lease payment.”