Daimler Trucks invests $20m into Detroit ePowertrain

Daimler Trucks North America is investing US$20 million into manufacturing a new battery electric powertrain for its upcoming Freightliner eCascadiaand Freightliner eM2.

The new Detroit ePowertrain is part of Daimler Trucks’ platform strategy to establish a “uniform basic architecture” for a range of battery-electric vehicles around the globe, the company says. 

The investment will go to the manufacturing facility located in Detroit, Michigan which will serve as the North American source of Detroit ePowertrain components.

Initial production is expected to begin in late 2021 and the start of production for both Freightliner models begins in 2022.  

Daimler Trucks North America sales and marketing senior vice president Richard Howard says the ePowertrain will help the company achieve global synergies and economies of scale for CO2-neutral commercial vehicles.

“By utilising our Detroit ePowertrain to power the Freightliner eCascadia and eM2, we are giving Freightliner buyers the same level of confidence that comes with our conventionally-powered portfolio, known throughout the industry as having the best total cost of ownership – bar none,” Howard says.

“Nowhere else can buyers find the level of performance, support, quality, dedication to uptime, and engineering expertise as with our Detroit product portfolio. Our investment in Detroit – and in the city of the same name – harkens a new era for a storied name in the global automotive landscape.”  

Initially, the ePowertrain will offer an eAxle design operating at 400 volts and be offered in two variants suitable for a variety of commercial vehicle applications. 

The single motor design is rated at 180 horsepower, delivering maximum torque of up to 15,591Nm. The dual motor design offers up to 360 horsepower and 31,183Nm of torque. 

The ePowertrain will be mated to the choice of three battery offerings for the eCascadia and eM2, including a 210 kilowatt hour (kWh) version, a 315 kWh version, and a 475 kWh version. Battery packs are comprised of arrays of lithium-ion prismatic cells. 

In Detroit’s first ePowertrain offerings, the maximum range specifications will be more than 370 kilometres on a full charge for the medium-duty eM2 and 402km for the Class 8 eCascadia tractor.

Daimler Trucks North America head of eMobility Rakesh Aneja says the ePowertrain builds on 40 years of experience between Freightliner and Detroit. 

“An integrated ePowertrain from Detroit respects that legacy and moves us into a new era for the industry by improving operational efficiency while simultaneously eliminating tailpipe emissions,” Aneja says.