Mack Trucks introduced the Mack MD Electric, the industry’s first electric Mack Truck in the medium-duty category. A Class 6 and a Class 7 rating will be available for the Mack MD Electric.
A Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 25,995 pounds is set to the Class 6 model, while a GVWR of 33,000 pounds is given to the Class 7 model. Both versions are exempt from the federal excise tax of 12%. (FET).
Mack started production of the Mack MD Series in 2020. The Mack MD Electric will be manufactured at Roanoke Valley Operations (RVO) in Roanoke Valley, Virginia. Roanoke Valley is located in Roanoke County.
Mack’s truck debut
At the beginning of March, Mack debuted the vehicle for the first time at the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) 2023 Work Truck Show, which took place at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
A couple of years ago, zero-emission trucks were only sometimes considered viable. The range is no longer a concern like it used to be because nearly 80% of all heavy-duty trucks now travel less than 100 miles per day on average.
The consistent falls in the price of batteries have contributed, as well, to the growth in the accessibility of models. Recent research indicates that the operational costs for electric trucks can be between 14% and 52% lower and that cost of repairs for electric trucks can be around 40% lower than the costs associated with their combustion-powered counterparts. The advantages of electrifying heavy-duty truck fleets are essential.
The 3-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous motor on the MD Electric and all the on-board accessories are all activated by Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) Oxide lithium-ion batteries, which can be configured to produce either 150kWh or 240kWH of energy.
AC and DC charging units are compatible with the MD Electric’s battery pack. The vehicle comes to multiple stops throughout the day, and the system for regenerative braking helps recover some of the lost energy from those stops.
Mack MD’s dependability and durability
The Mack MD Electric truck was constructed with dependability, durability, and productivity as its primary concerns. It was primarily designed for medium-duty applications.
The MD Electric was built with the same heavy-duty quality as its diesel-powered counterparts. It is available in 4×2 configurations with a sharp wheel cut for improved maneuverability in narrow urban environments.
The MD Series cab design has a bumper-to-back-of-cab measurement 103 inches shorter than other cab designs. In a manner analogous to that of the diesel-powered Mack MD Series, Mack based the design of the grille and hood of the Mack MD Electric on the appearance and styling of the Mack Anthem, which is Mack’s highway model.
Trucking applications that require dry van/refrigerated, stake/flatbed, and dump vocations will find that MD Electric can meet their needs.
To transport non-hazardous cargo using an MD6, a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is not required to operate the vehicle. Mack dealers, a majority of whom are already Mack Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) dealers and will support the new entry into the world of electric trucking.
Heavy-duty engine and vehicle standards
According to the press release, the MD Electric will complement its “highly efficient, diesel-powered MD model sibling.”
CleanTechnica reports that including a zero-tailpipe emissions battery-electric vehicle (BEV) in the Mack medium-duty product line will also sustain the company’s long-term sustainability targets.
The transportation sector values sustainability. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was completing a project to minimize air pollution from heavy-duty engines and vehicles in the US by January 2023.
The final program incorporates stricter emission limits that span a broader range of heavy-duty engine operating situations than current norms.
The final program also demands these more rigorous emissions criteria to be satisfied for longer when these engines are on the road.
Heavy-duty vehicles and engines contribute to ozone and particulate matter concentrations, which can cause premature death, respiratory sickness (including children’s asthma), cardiovascular difficulties, and other health issues.
The final rulemaking establishes new numeric standards and affects the heavy-duty emission control program’s test methodologies, useful regulatory life, emission-related warranties, and other obligations.
The final rule’s provisions will lower heavy-duty engine air quality impacts under various operating situations and over a more extended period.
“The Mack MD Electric joins the full lineup of Class 6 to 8 vehicles Mack offers to help customers meet their application needs.
Building on the success of the diesel-powered Mack MD Series, the Mack MD Electric will help our customers meet their sustainability goals without sacrificing the durability, reliability, and total cost of ownership for which Mack is known.”
Jonathan Randall, President of Mack Trucks North America
The Mack LR Electric
The Mack MD Electric is Mack Truck’s second battery-electric vehicle. The Mack LR Electric entered production in December 2021, when several high-profile EV companies were trying to establish themselves in the electric truck market.
The company had been a top manufacturer of diesel trucks for more than 120 years, so entering the world of electric mobility with the Mack LR Electric, a fully electrified Class 8 truck, seemed natural.
The Mack LR Electric has the same comfort, visibility, and dependability as the diesel-powered LR. Still, it has 42% more energy and a standard 376 kWh total battery capacity for an expanded range.
Two alternating current motors produce a combined output of 536 peak horsepower with no exhaust emissions and no after-treatment systems, resulting in lower maintenance. Charge power of up to 150kW is available, with a maximum current of 200A at 550-750 volts.
See Also:
- Volvo dominates the thriving electric truck industry with over 4,300 units sold to date
- Ram 1500 REV electric truck to enter series production in 2024
- Electric truck maker Rivian to enter the micro-mobility market, reportedly developing an electric bike
- Electric truck maker Rivian to enter the micro-mobility market, reportedly developing an electric bike
- US Postal Service announces plans to invest $9.6 billion in electric trucks by 2026
Two-stage regenerative braking recharges batteries while driving. Four fast-charging NMC lithium-ion batteries supply 600v to the 2-speed Mack Powershift transmission, which produces 4,051 lb.-ft. Of peak torque.
The Mack LR Electric is “built tough to run clean.” The vehicle significantly reduces a “fleet’s carbon footprint” and commits “a company to a cleaner future.”
