Electric truck from Cummins beats Tesla Semi launch

Diesel engine maker Cummins has revealed its first fully electric truck.

The “Class 7 Demonstration Urban Hauler Tractor” was shown at an Indiana event in the US on August 29, ahead of the Tesla Semi electric truck due to be unveiled next month and enter production within two years.

The Cummins truck has a 160km range from a 140kWh battery pack on a single charge, which can be done in an hour.

Further battery packs can provide a 480km range.

A regenerative braking system and the potential for solar panels on the trailer roof can send energy to the battery pack.

Just when the e-truck enters production hasn’t yet been announced by the company.

Cummins also displayed the latest in near-zero natural gas engine technology, super-efficient diesel engines (the X12 and X15), and shared plans to introduce a revolutionary heavy-duty diesel engine in 2022.

These offer customers the latest in environmentally-friendly, cost-effective and powerful products, it says.

Cummins says it will continue to provide connected customer support, including cloud-based solutions and big data analysis.

“These new technological innovations build on our 100-year legacy of bringing the best solutions to our customers, driving their success and meeting the evolving demands of their industries and markets,” Cummins chief technical officer Jennifer Rumsey says.

She says the company will develop a wide variety of power technologies to bring customers choice and solutions towards a sustainable future.

During the event, which included tours of the Cummins technical centre, Cummins leaders and scientists showcased the company’s continued innovation and work in analysis-led design capability, virtual reality, alternative fuels and digital capabilities.