Loosening emissions regulations might have taken some of the sizzle off zero-emissions trucks in the near term, but Paccar is undeterred, rolling out new medium-duty models for its Peterbilt and Kenworth brands.
Peterbilt earlier this year rolled out its first medium-duty electric truck – the Model 567EV. Similarly, Kenworth debuted its Kenworth T880E. Each truck was its respective brand's first vocational EV.
Peterbilt expanded its medium-duty electric vehicle (EV) lineup with models 536EV, 537EV and 548EV. They join the the 579EV and 567EV in Peterbilt electric truck offering.
On Tuesday, Peterbilt added a few more pages to its medium-duty EV catalog with Models 536EV, 537EV and 548EV. The 536EV and 537EV are designed for regional delivery as well as service and utility trucks. The Model 548EV is a Class 8 vehicle that supports 4x2 tractors and vocational configurations with PTOs, such as dump trucks.
They feature a distinctive exterior look with a blue-accented crown and grille, as well as EV-exclusive panels on the side of the hood.
Comparable Kenworth models, also making their debut Tuesday, are the T280E (ideal for pickup and delivery, as well as urban routes), T380E (suited for pickup and delivery, regional haul, utility and light vocational applications) and T480E (designed for heavier pickup and delivery applications, drayage, utility and select vocational applications). The T280E, T380E, and T480E feature factory-installed options for high-voltage ePTO ports, which can be utilized to power equipment, a mechanical ePTO, or body configurations in conjunction with aftermarket body upfitters.
The trucks feature Paccar's ePowertrain: a midship-mounted eMotor with dual electric motors and an integrated three-speed transmission to deliver seamless shifting with no torque interruption.
Multiple power options are available for different applications and performance needs, up to 605 horsepower and 1,850 lb.-ft. of torque. Rapid 350kW DC charging enables an 80% charge of the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in just over 80 minutes. Charging is supplemented by a selectable three-stage regenerative braking system. Two distinct battery capacity options are available with a maximum range of 280 miles.
Flexible architecture allows for integration with existing suspensions, and the ePowertrain supports 4x2 and 6x4 configurations, any wheelbase of 163 inches or longer, as well as applications up to 82,000 lbs. gross combined weight.
