Daimler Trucks is establishing a global organization for e-mobility to define the strategy for electric components, complete electric vehicles, and develop a standardized, global electric architecture. The E-Mobility Group (EMG) is set up globally with employees working in various locations throughout the company’s worldwide development network, in Portland (U.S.), Stuttgart (Germany) and Kawasaki (Japan).
Effective 1 July 2018, Gesa Reimelt, who is currently head of product projects powertrain & eDrive Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, will become head of the EMG, and she will report to Dr. Frank Reintjes, head of global powertrain and manufacturing engineering, Daimler Trucks.
Frank Reintjes, who is also a member of the divisional board of management, Daimler Trucks & Buses, said: ““We expect increasing demand for electric trucks and buses, and are also receiving these signals from our customers. Only manufacturers who lead the field in both conventional drive systems and electric drive systems are able to offer convincing solutions, technically and business-wise. With regard to conventional powertrains, we have always benefited from our worldwide platform strategy. We will also be taking this approach for electric drive systems in the future. To this end, we are establishing the E-Mobility Group in which our experts from all functions around the world will work together on the best e-systems.”
Daimler Trucks has launched two new, fully-electric trucks from Freightliner, its US truck brand. The Freightliner eCascadia is a heavy-duty electric truck for long-distance operations (>15 t GVW), and a fully-electric variant of the Freightliner eM2 106 covers the medium segment (9 to 12 t GVW).
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is planning to hand over a fleet of around 30 electric trucks to its first customers in the US in the course of this year. The company aims to gain experience in eTrucks by working together with customers to establish how electric trucks can be efficiently deployed in day-to-day transport operations.
