Daimler Truck North America started production of the Freightliner eM2, a battery-electric medium-duty truck designed for pick-up and delivery applications. These vehicles are being manufactured at DTNA’s truck manufacturing plant in Portland, Oregon.
The first production units in the U.S. will be delivered to Ferguson, Hogan Truck Leasing, Penske Truck Leasing, Pitt Ohio, Ryder System, Titan Freight Systems, and Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing. In Canada, the first units will go to Brossard Leasing and Day & Ross.
“The start of production for this versatile truck marks another important milestone on our journey to a zero-emissions product line," said Rakesh Aneja, head of eMobility at DTNA.
The Freightliner eM2
The eM2 is built on the Freightliner M2 106 Plus platform and follows the introduction of the battery-electric Freightliner eCascadia in 2022, extending CO2-neutral transportation to the medium-duty segment. DTNA said it currently holds a leadership position with the eCascadia in the Class 8 market, based on available Polk registration data from beginning of the year up until September 2023.
DTNA first unveiled the eM2 in 2018, and HDT got a walk-around tour of the medium-duty EV in 2019. The company originally announced it was taking orders for the eM2 in 2021, planning for it to hit production in late 2022.
The eM2 features a proprietary, fully integrated, battery-electric Detroit ePowertrain. Its streamlined design places electric motors and a 2-speed transmission directly on the drive axles, resulting in minimized energy cost per mile, according to DTNA.
The driving range varies based on the two battery capacity options for the eM2.
The Class 6 single-motor model provides up to 190 continuous horsepower, a 194-kWh battery, and a typical range of 180 miles on a single charge.
The Class 7 dual-motor variant offers up to 255 continuous horsepower, supported by a 291-kWh battery, providing a typical range of 250 miles on a single charge.
Freightliner eM2 Safety Features
Standard safety features on the Freightliner eM2 now include:
Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA5)
Tailgate Warning
Adaptive Cruise Control down to 0 mph
Lane Departure Warning
Intelligent High Beams
Automatic Wipers/Headlamps
Freightliner eM2 Connectivity
DTNA said the eM2 is further enhanced by Detroit Connect, a state-of-the-art connected vehicle solution that facilitates real-time monitoring of battery health, charging status, and energy usage. This connectivity enables efficient route planning, energy optimization, and post-trip data analysis to improve overall energy efficiency.
The eM2 follows Freightliner's existing battery-electric truck, the eCascadia.
Photo: DTNA
