Navistar, a US manufacturer of commercial trucks, has unveiled its first purpose-built all-electric commercial truck EStar, which the company will deliver to FedEx. The company is currently taking orders for the EStar and intends to deliver 400 units by the end of 2010.
Navistar said that this Class 2c-3 electric truck has a range of 100 miles per charge and can be plugged in and fully recharged within 6-8 hours.
FedEx will evaluate the performance of the EStar vehicle in its fleet as it operates in the Los Angeles area.
Navistar has developed the EStar electric truck by utilizing $39.2m federal stimulus grant from the US government, which it received in August 2009. Since then Navistar has completed testing and validation, has developed and delivered prototype vehicles, and received EPA and CARB certifications.
The EStar truck has been purpose-built for electric power with a low center of gravity (the battery is between the frame rails, not mounted on top) and a 36-foot turning radius. The EStar is engineered with aerodynamics and a quick-change cassette-type battery that can be swapped out in 20 minutes.
The company claimed that with zero tailpipe emissions, each EStar truck can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 10 tons annually.
Sales of the EStar EV are conducted through a wholly owned Navistar affiliate. The EStar truck is produced through the Navistar-Modec EV Alliance, the joint venture between Navistar and Modec of the UK.
Mitch Jackson, vice president of environmental affairs and sustainability at FedEx, said: ”FedEx is continually looking to connect the world more responsibly.
”Navistar’s purpose-built electric truck has the potential to assist in making our business more environmentally sustainable and reduce dependence on foreign oil, while ensuring FedEx the reliability necessary to meet our commitment for superior customer service.”