Freightliner proprietor Daimler Truck is launching a brand new model of electrical class 4 and 5 vehicles, the corporate introduced Thursday.
The brand new model, Rizon, will promote and repair the zero-emission automobiles solely by way of the industrial automobile outlet Velocity Car Group within the U.S., beginning with deliveries in California and New York within the fourth quarter of 2023.
“Our Rizon vehicles do all the things a diesel truck does with out the diesel,” stated Karl Deppen, a member of Daimler Truck’s supervisory board, throughout Thursday’s presentation.
Additionally on Thursday, Daimler’s U.S. division together with NextEra Power Sources and BlackRock Alternate options stated Greenlane would be the identify of their three way partnership that may construct and function a public charging and hydrogen fueling community for medium- and heavy-duty battery-electric and hydrogen gasoline cell automobiles. The companions are beginning with $650 million in funding for the community. The primary websites might be in Southern California.
Rizon will initially launch three fashions with two lithium iron phosphate battery choices — one with a variety of 110 miles, and the opposite with a variety of 160 miles per charging cycle. The vehicles, designed for metropolis deliveries, will match with quite a lot of normal our bodies. Fleets could make orders instantly, and manufacturing will start in Japan in August.
The Rizon vehicles might be geared up with each AC and sooner DC chargers as normal options, in addition to metal cages enclosing the battery packs to stop harm in crashes. Rizon additionally will embody driver-assist options corresponding to lively brake help and lively sideguard help.
Daimler stated the vehicles might be supported by an ecosystem to offer setup and charging infrastructure, well timed repairs, elements availability, financing and telematics.
The corporate didn’t present pricing particulars.
Marina Tokoro, a spokesperson for the German truck producer, stated in an electronic mail that the corporate “can not disclose our pricing technique or additional particulars presently resulting from aggressive causes,” however Brad Fauvre, the president of Velocity Car Group, stated in the course of the presentation that upfront costs can be “comparable” to diesel class 4 and 5 vehicles.
Of their feedback, executives positioned Daimler because the skilled and dependable producer available in the market, whereas the unstated comparability was newer electrical truck manufacturers which have confronted investor revolts, authorities probes and a draining money provide. The corporate additionally owns the Mercedes-Benz and Western Star truck manufacturers.
Daimler is a “steady group and we’re right here to remain,” and it has the “expertise of a world OEM backed by a supplier community,” stated Deppen.
Because the federal authorities and states corresponding to California lead the push to electrical automobiles, startups together with Harbinger Motors and XOS Vans wish to meet the wants of fleets attempting to make the transition.
California plans to require that every one medium- and heavy-duty truck operations within the state be zero-emission by 2045.
As demand ramps up, so should provide, although electrical automobile battery supplies competitors and shortages have slowed progress. Daimler stated the corporate is assured it could actually supply a strong provide of automobiles to the marketplace for Rizon and different manufacturers.
Daimler Truck is now a standalone truck builder following its December 2021 spinoff from the company dad or mum of the Mercedes-Benz automobile enterprise.