Series production of the Freightliner eM2 battery-electric medium-duty truck has begun. The trucks are being manufactured in Daimler’s Portland, Oregon plant and will begin deliveries to pre-order customers before end of year.
Early customers for the eM2 include Ferguson, Hogan Truck Leasing, Penske, PITT Ohio, Ryder, Titan Freight, and Velocity Truck Rental. Early units to Canada will go to Brossard Leasing and Day & Ross.
The eM2 is designed from Freightliner’s M2 106 Plus platform and shares many parts and design qualities with the previously-released Freightliner eCascadia Class 8 truck that debuted in 2022. Motors and e-transmission are placed directly on the drive axles. Two battery options give the eM2 a typical range of 180 or 250 miles per charge. Battery packs are 194 kWh and 291 kWh respectively.
Standard safety features such as Active Brake Assist 5, Tailgate Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control (down to 0 mph), Lane Departure Warning, and others are also included as standard equipment in the Freightliner eM2. The truck also includes Detroit Connect, a connected vehicle solution that facilitates real-time battery health monitoring, charge status, and energy use.
Aaron is an automotive journalist living in Wyoming, USA. His background includes technology, mechanics, commercial vehicles, and new vehicle evaluations. Aaron is a member of several automotive media groups and writes for many well-known publications.