Peterbilt Motors Company recently unveiled its new all-electric medium-duty Model 220EV.
The new truck joins Peterbilt’s electric vehicle (EV) lineup, which also includes Models 520EV and 579EV. The company said it expects to have more than 30 EVs in operation by the end of 2019 with customers representing refuses, regional haul and city-delivery applications.
“Peterbilt has been at the forefront of truck electrification, and adding the medium-duty platform to our electric truck lineup was a natural evolution of our development plan,” said Jason Skoog, Peterbilt general manager. “We will now have trucks in the three applications where electric powertrains may have a return on investment for our customers.
“Today, we have Model 520EVs and Model 579EVs on the road with customers, experiencing real-world environments and performing well. In addition to the customer field trials, Peterbilt is engaged in validation testing at the PACCAR Technical Center (PTC) in Mount Vernon WA. Data collected during customer trials and testing at PTC will be used to ensure that Peterbilt EVs meet the same rigorous standards as our current trucks.”
The zero-emission 220EV is powered by two TransPower battery packs with a total of 148 kWh and a Meritor Blue Horizon two-speed drive eAxle. It features a range of 100 miles and a recharge time of one hour when using a DC fast charging system, making it a good option for local pick-up and delivery operations, while still providing the premium performance and driver experience customers expect from Peterbilt.
“Just like any Peterbilt, an electric version will be the class of the industry, delivering a durable and reliable truck with low total cost of ownership to truck owners, combined with the premium experience truck drivers expect from a Peterbilt,” Skoog said.
Peterbilt expects to begin delivering the 220EV in the summer of 2019, and says it will put a total of six into service this year with a “major” customer.