We Believe in the E-Truck

Daimler Truck debuts in New York City

Buses, coaches, and heavy trucks – Daimler Truck is expanding its zero-emission portfolio with a wide range of vehicles to bring commercial electric driving to life. The strategic reorientation focuses on partnerships, technology sharing, and the parallel development of battery electric and hydrogen-based vehicles, all based on a consistent platform strategy.

North America is a key market for the future of commercial electric driving. This is where the battery electric Freightliner eCascadia and eM2 heavy-duty trucks are already proving themselves in customer operations. With the arrival of the fuel-cell-powered Mercedes-Benz eActros LongHaul tractor unit, which has a range of over 1,000 kilometers, the commercial vehicle manufacturer is presenting its first series-produced hydrogen truck for North America.

"We believe in the e-truck"

There was no mistaking Martin Daum's message at the IAA Transportation 2022 trade show in Hanover, Germany. "We believe in the e-truck," declared the Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck. Rather than cementing a single technology path, he emphasized the need for a technology-neutral approach to achieving zero-emission goals: "With our dual-track approach, we can bring electric trucks to series production maturity even faster."

That's why Daimler Truck is investing over €2 billion in research and development of battery electric and hydrogen-based commercial vehicles this year alone. The truck manufacturer is also actively pursuing partnerships and investing in other sectors, such as the hydrogen startup Hyzon Motors and battery specialist Sila Nanotechnologies. With the ePowertrain Division and the Global Hydrogen Business Unit, Daimler Truck has also created cross-divisional units that bundle the company's expertise in these key technologies.

The key to success lies in the consistent implementation of a platform strategy. The ePowertrain platform, for example, serves as a basis for the electrification of trucks and buses from Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, and FUSO. As a result, Daimler Truck benefits not only from economies of scale in production and development but also from a faster availability of new technologies across brands and regions.

This approach is also reflected in the brand portfolio of Daimler Truck: Mercedes-Benz remains the global brand for premium long-haul and heavy-duty distribution trucks. Freightliner is the brand for heavy-duty trucks in North America and selected markets. FUSO continues to be the brand for light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks in Asia and selected international markets.

As part of its strategic reorientation, Daimler Truck is also focusing on expanding its global manufacturing footprint. In addition to its existing plants in Germany and the USA, the company is investing in new production facilities in Europe and North America. The goal is to be able to offer zero-emission trucks to customers in all key markets worldwide.

A clear commitment to a zero-emission future

With its dual-track approach to electrification and hydrogen, its consistent platform strategy, and its global manufacturing footprint, Daimler Truck is clearly committed to a zero-emission future. The company has set ambitious goals for itself: by 2039, it aims to offer only new vehicles that are CO2-neutral in driving operation in Europe, Japan, and North America.

Daimler Truck has the experience, the products, and the determination to succeed in this transformation. The company is well on its way to becoming the global leader in commercial electric driving.