Freightliner’s New eM2: All Features
Built on the best-selling M2 106 Plus platform and introduced on the heels of the series production Freightliner eCascadia Class 8 tractor, the Class 6/7 eM2 expands CO2-neutral transportation to the medium-duty segment. With decades of proven manufacturing know-how and innovation integrated into its electric vehicle program, DTNA is beginning full production of the Detroit-powered eM2 for pickup and delivery applications in fall of 2023 at its Portland truck manufacturing plant.
Power of Choice: Built for Quiet Efficiency
The eM2 is built on Detroit’s legacy of powertrain innovation, and features a proprietary, fully integrated, battery electric Detroit ePowertrain, including Detroit eAxles and batteries. The vehicle minimizes energy cost per mile by removing the drivetrain and other mechanical components in favor of a lighter, simpler design, which packages the electric motors and 2- speed transmission directly onto the drive axles. Multiple battery size options are available, allowing customers to find the right balance between range/runtime and price:
- Class 6 single motor: provides up to 190 continuous hp, a 194 kWh battery and a typical range of 180 miles on one charge
- Class 7 dual-motor: provides up to 255 continuous hp, a 291 kWh battery and a typical range of 250 miles on one charge
Powered by zero-emission technology, the eM2 delivers goods quietly through neighborhoods and urban areas, without the sounds of a diesel engine accelerating or idling. For customers who require refrigeration configurations, an electric power takeoff (ePTO) option is available, enabling a choice of refrigeration units that can run on energy from the vehicle’s high voltage battery.
Safety Drivers and Operators Demand. Connectivity They Need
Thanks to its proprietary battery side impact protection and the Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems, the following safety features now come standard with the eM2 and elevate the level of safety in the medium-duty segment:
- Active Brake Assist (ABA) 5.0
- Tailgate Warning
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) to 0 mph
- Lane Departure Warning
- Intelligent High-Beams
- Automatic Wipers/Headlamps
- Side Guard Assist
The eM2’s modern, intuitive dash and easy touch-screen interface make it an ideal choice for fleets and drivers who need to stay productive on the road. With its smooth acceleration and low noise levels, the electric powertrain provides an impressive driving experience that reduces fatigue and makes the transition to electric easy for drivers in a range of industries. Equipped with state-of-the-art connected vehicle offerings, Detroit Connect, which offers new eServices and provides charging information and vehicle health data in real time, the eM2 allows fleet managers to:
- Plan new routes with real-time range prediction, updating automatically for traffic, weather, topography, and other conditions
- Monitor battery health and state-of-charge for multiple units in real-time
- Collect data for post-trip analysis reports, which can help coach drivers to maximize energy efficiency and battery lifespan
Supporting Customers as They Prepare for Electric
Having worked with many Freightliner customers over the last several years to transition their commercial trucking fleets to electric, a team of experts, Detroit eConsultants, are able to connect the dots for customers including right-sizing infrastructure, choosing ideal chargers, navigating rebates and incentives, assisting with site selection, providing connectivity insights, and offering photovoltaic and energy storage options, and more. They also introduce customers to the comprehensive line of Detroit eFill Chargers, evaluate duty cycles, and help identify ways to put eM2 trucks to work efficiently.
Detroit’s Charger Management System (CMS) provides fleet managers with the insights to understand their fleets’ energy consumption patterns and create a charging schedule that reduces cost per mile. Freightliner also maintains the leading dealer network in North America, which is well prepared for the transition to battery electric vehicles. With over 90 percent of the Freightliner dealer base having completed a proprietary EV Masters Sales training course, dealers are fully equipped to answer EV questions and evaluate the best use cases for eCascadia and eM2 applications, as well as identify potentially relevant EV rebates in a specialized database.
Over 1,400 dealership technicians are trained today in high-voltage (HV) safety as dealers are proactively preparing to service eCascadia and eM2. This is supported by DTNA’s fleet and field service managers who are working hand in hand with customers and network partners. DTNA Parts is ramping up stock on eMobility components, leveraging its 10 parts distribution centers across North America, with a dedicated delivery service that averages 12-hour delivery on 90 percent of parts ordered.
Where private funding options are needed to support commercial EV deployments, Daimler Truck Financial offers a full suite of financing products specifically tailored to both vehicles and charging infrastructure, including lease and retail loan options, customer revolving lines of credit, floorplan financing, and construction and real estate loans. The lease structure allows for a decrease in the initial up-front investment, making electric vehicles more accessible for fleets of all sizes and helps to control costs moving in to electric with predictable payments and the usual lease-related backend risk terms and conditions.
Source: Daimler Truck North America, May 2nd 2023
