Over the past year, Enova and Freightliner have been testing a 120 kilowatt all-electric drive system with several chassis platforms, but now they are ready to accelerate plans to serve corporate fleets.
The Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) truck just made its official debut at the 2010 National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Work Truck Show.
The vehicle, which is geared for the commercial pickup and delivery market, is built on the FCCC MT-45 WIV chassis platform.
Bob Harbin, FCCC president, said that the company's vision was "clearly focused on transitioning the all-electric chassis into the mainstream of ... walk-in van production programs."
In a test on delivery and service routes, a study shows that customers could save up to $15,000 per vehicle a year compared with traditionally powered walk-in vans.
The vans use Enova’s 120kW all-electric drive system technology and are rated to haul 14,000 to 19,500 pounds. Powered by Tesla Motors lithium ion batteries, the chassis is 100 percent electric, including its HVAC system.
The van has a 100-mile driving range per charge. It takes six to eight hours to recharge, FCCC says.
The vehicle should enter full production in the first quarter of 2011, after which it will undergo testing with some "major" U.S. pickup and delivery fleets.