Werner Enterprises Announces First Electric-Powered Truck Pilot Program

Werner Enterprises has announced its first electric-powered truck pilot program. The 2019 Peterbilt 579 EV Class 8 electric truck will run for a year in Southern California.

Werner Enterprises, a premier transportation and logistics provider, has announced its first electric-powered truck pilot program. The 2019 Peterbilt 579 EV Class 8 electric truck will run for a year on a dedicated account in Southern California.

“Werner continues to be at the front edge of technology, and we are committed to finding alternative ways to keep our trucks environmentally-friendly while using renewable energy,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Derek Leathers.

The firms’ first electric-powered truck is the result of a partnership with Peterbilt, Meritor and TransPower. It is the first fully collision mitigated TransPower truck and can haul up to 80,000 pounds. The truck is 100 percent electric, releases zero emissions, and requires a 5 to 10-hour charge time. The truck will operate in the Los Angeles metro area.

Funding for the tractor was provided by the California Climate Investments (CCI), the state’s climate change-fighting, cap-and-trade program. The award is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.

In September 2019, Chinese solar module manufacturer, Jolywood had unveiled its new solar energy storage system with the launch of the fully electric heavy truck manufactured by Breton. Together with Breton, Jolywood presented the full-electric heavy truck and its smart energy system at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) held from August 29-31, 2019, in Shanghai.  Powered by Jolywood’s PV energy system, the full-electric heavy vehicle, or e-truck is powered by clean energy supplied by the PV power generation station and wind turbine.

More recently, Michigan-based electric pickup truck startup Rivian had announced that it has closed an investment/ funding round of USD 1.3 billion. The financing was led by funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Amazon, Ford Motor Company and funds managed by BlackRock also participated in the round.