Daimler Trucks North American alternative energy efforts earn 2019 Clean Air Technology nod

October 04, 2019

"We're honored to be recognized with the Clean Air Technology Award by South Coast AQMD," said Roger Nielsen, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America.

Daimler Trucks North America LLC has been recognized with the 2019 Clean Air Technology award from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD). DTNA was recognized for its Innovation Fleet from Freightliner, a 30-vehicle fleet of battery electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks currently testing integration of battery electric commercial vehicles into large-scale transportation operations.

"We're honored to be recognized with the Clean Air Technology Award by South Coast AQMD," said Roger Nielsen, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America. "Our team is fully committed to co-creating the future of sustainable transportation with great customers and with great partners like South Coast AQMD."

In keeping with the mission of South Coast AQMD to reduce pollutants, greenhouse gasses and petroleum usage throughout its district, the Freightliner Innovation Fleet is used in drayage operations by NFI at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and in regional deliveries by Penske Truck Leasing throughout the Inland Empire. Testing of the battery electric commercial vehicles precedes the start of series production for both models, currently scheduled for late 2021. For 31 years, South Coast AQMD has honored those who have made significant contributions to cleaner air in the South Coast Air Basin.

DTNA first unveiled the medium-duty Freightliner eM2 and the heavy-duty Freightliner eCascadia in June of 2018. The first eM2 from the Innovation Fleet was subsequently delivered in December 2018 and the first eCascadias were delivered to Penske Truck Leasing and NFI in September 2019.

The Freightliner eCascadia and eM2 are part of Daimler Trucks' global electrified initiative, which includes Thomas Built Buses all-electric Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school bus, the FUSO eCanter, and the Mercedes-Benz eActros and eCitaro. To date, there are nearly 200 electrified trucks and buses from Daimler Trucks & Buses on the road globally.