Werner chooses electric Pete
DENTON, Texas – Peterbilt has announced it has delivered a Model 579EV to Werner Enterprises, where it’ll be put into service as part of the fleet’s battery-electric truck pilot program.
“Werner Enterprises has long been regarded as an industry pioneer, and Peterbilt is honored to partner with them and have our 579EV lead their electric operations,” said Jason Skoog, Paccar vice-president and Peterbilt general manager.
The truck uses a TransPower energy storage subsystem with a capacity of 352 kWh. It’s driven by a Meritor Blue Horizon mid-ship motor drive subsystem with up to 430 hp and an estimated range of about 150 miles. Fast-charging takes as little as an hour, Peterbilt claims.
“Werner is committed to finding alternative ways to keep our trucks environmentally-friendly while staying at the front edge of technology,” said Werner Enterprises president and CEO Derek Leathers. “Now, we’re excited about putting on some real-world miles with a dedicated customer in southern California over the next year.”
Peterbilt says its 579EV will be available on its SmartSpec sales tool in the second half of 2020.
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I agree with John! Can you imagine how many batteries would be needed to keep that rig going for 250 miles when it’s -30 and the load weighs 80,000lbs? And IF you make it to your destination, how long will it take to charge the battery? 2hrs? 3 hrs? Will the driver get PAID while it’s charging? I can answer that….NO ! How will the driver stay warm in the sleeper when he has to shut down for 8 hrs ? Light a couple of candles?
Like John said, this is good for the southern states and Mexico but not up here in Canada.
works in cal. these trucks will be lucky to get 100 mile a 30 below with a chill factor of -45, car batteries only run at 80% in the cold and you can not charge a frozen battery, which will happen , jease my oil froze in the cumming 400 in the peg,cost me a new motor. and what are you going to do in a other ice storm with no current avail, or stuck on the caul. in BC for 3 days. , run it on a generator, some green idea , elect. trucks won’t be a viable thing until they can start in the winter at any time and place. all this stuff works in the heat, but fails to match a diesel in the cold