Daimler Trucks is further expanding its field tests for medium and heavy-duty e-trucks in North America.

US customers Penske Truck Leasing and NFI Industries have acquired the first heavy-duty Freightliner eCascadia trucks (class 8) with a range of up to 250 miles (400 km).

Since the end of 2018, both carriers have been field-testing the medium-duty, fully electric Freightliner eM2. Penske will be operating the Freightliner eCascadia in regional traffic in Southern California, while NFI will employ the vehicle in short-haul drayage operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The two Daimler eCascadias are the first heavy-duty trucks in Freightliner's innovation fleet of 30 electric vehicles. The market launch for both the Freightliner eCascadia and the eM2 truck is planned for 2021.

Photo: The first two Daimler eCascadia heavy-duty trucks