Peterbuilt to build e-truck, aims to compete with Tesla

TESLA’S claims about its electric truck have created some disbelief in the truck industry. Some simply didn’t believe Tesla can deliver what they claim, while others are trying to compete with their own trucks, like Daimler with the E-FUSO Vision ONE, and Cummins with its own prototype.

Now, Peterbilt becomes the latest truck maker with an all- electric Class 8 truck program to compete with the Tesla Semi.

The truck maker announced a partnership with Meritor and TransPower, which will supply all- electric drivetrain systems for two Peterbilt vehicle platforms.

They will produce the electric powertrains for 12 Peterbilt all- electric Class 8 Model 579 day cab tractors and three Model 520 refuse trucks.

The trucks will be used in a test program for about one year in order to prove out the ranges, operating hours and charging requirements of vehicles operating in real-world service conditions alongside conventional diesel-fueled trucks.

“This collaboration with Peterbilt reinforces the viability of our advanced technology and electrified solutions that are adaptable for a wide range of applications. We look forward to getting these vehicles on the road this summer,” Jay Craig, CEO and president of Meritor.

The program is being funded by the California Air Resources Board and a consortium of California’s regional air quality districts, including the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and San Diego Air Pollution Control District.

They haven’t released any specs for the planned trucks other than their aim to compete with conventional diesel-fueled trucks.

While Tesla is working on a longrange Class

8 vehicle, most truck makers working on electric trucks have been focusing on short-range vehicles for urban use.

Cummins’ electric truck weighs 18,000 lbs with a maximum payload capacity of 44,000 lbs and a range of 100 miles on a single charge enabled by a surprisingly small 140-kWh battery pack. Daimler’s E-FUSO Vision ONE is packing a bigger 300-kWh battery pack and claims a range of up to 220 miles (350 kilometers) on a single charge.

As for Tesla, the company is taking orders for two different Tesla Semi configurations claiming a range of 300 and 500 miles.

But not everyone believes in those claims. Daimler’s head of trucks said that Tesla’s claims defy the laws of physics.

While Tesla still needs to prove the capacity of its electric trucks, the competition is nonetheless starting to heat up in the space.