DTNA Unveils Freightliner Battery-Electric MD eM2

May 2, 2023

Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) unveiled it series production eM2 for pickup and delivery applications on the 2023 ACT Expo floor, which will start production this fall.

“Today, we welcome the Class 6/7 Freightliner eM2 to further expand our application coverage and to give customers another zero emission choice,” said John O’Leary, DTNA president and CEO. “The eM2 will be a fantastic fit for inner urban pickup and delivery, and coming soon, for vocational applications.”

Built on the M2 106 Plus platform, the Class 6/7 eM2 expands carbon-neutral transportation to the medium-duty segment. DTNA is planning to begin full production of the Detroit-powered eM2 for pickup and delivery applications this fall at its Portland truck manufacturing plant.

The eM2 features a proprietary, fully integrated, battery-electric Detroit ePowertrain, including Detroit eAxles and batteries. The vehicle minimizes energy cost per mile by removing the drivetrain and other mechanical components in favor of a lighter, simpler design, which packages the electric motors and two-speed transmission directly onto the drive axles. Multiple battery size options are available:

  • Class 6 single motor: provides up to 190 continuous hp, a 194 kWh battery and a typical range of 180 miles on one charge
  • Class 7 dual-motor: provides up to 255 continuous hp, a 291 kWh battery and a typical range of 250 miles on one charge

Equipped with state-of-the-art connected vehicle offerings, Detroit Connect, which offers new eServices and provides charging information and vehicle health data in real time, the eM2 allows fleet managers to:

  • Plan routes with real-time range prediction, updating automatically for traffic, weather, topography, and other conditions
  • Monitor battery health and state-of-charge for multiple units in real-time
  • Collect data for post-trip analysis reports, which can help coach drivers to maximize energy efficiency and battery lifespan

The eM2 has accumulated more than 1.5 million test miles in customer innovation and experience fleets driven in a variety or real-world applications in almost 50 real fleets operating across the West Coast, New Jersey and Canada.