Kenworth places largest electric truck order to date in California
Kenworth, belonging to the PACCAR Group, has received relevant order from Jack Khudikyan, owner of AJR Trucking and MDB Transportation, who bought 15 Kenworth T680E and 10 Kenworth K270E BEV trucks.
U.S. truck manufacturer Kenworth has placed largest electric truck order to date. The company, belonging to the PACCAR Group, has received relevant order from Jack Khudikyan, owner of AJR Trucking and MDB Transportation, who bought 15 Kenworth T680E and 10 Kenworth K270E BEV trucks. AJR Trucking is a leading United States Postal Service contract carrier based in Los Angeles, and MDB Transportation provides transportation services including dedicated, port and rail, LTL and full truckload.
The trucks will work in the Los Angeles area
In 2016, AJR Trucking and MDB Transportation began adding compressed natural gas (CNG) powered Kenworth T680s to reduce carbon emissions. Combined, the two companies operate more than 80 natural gas-powered trucks and continue to phase out its diesel trucks as operations allow. AJR Trucking will use the K270Es to provide regional postal services in the greater Los Angeles area. The T680Es will operate in MDB Transportation’s drayage operations at the Port of Los Angeles. To offset the cost of the Kenworth T680E and K270E battery electric vehicles, the companies qualified and received voucher incentives through the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP).
Statements from the companies involved
«Several years ago, we made the decision to begin adding trucks that run on alternative fuels to reduce our carbon footprint and to better assist our customers in meeting their sustainability goals», said Khudikyan. «It’s important to do what’s right for the environment, and we’re on a mission to one day achieve net zero emissions between the two companies. This order of Kenworth Class 6 and Class 8 battery electric vehicles will assist us in meeting that goal».
«Jack and his team at AJR Trucking and MDB Transportation are real leaders when it comes to addressing the impacts of climate change», added Charles Peterman, Inland Kenworth vice president – new truck sales. «We applaud his commitment to operating in a more sustainable way as his companies will become some of the first to put these new trucks into real-world service».
Kenworth electric trucks: the main features
Designed for pickup and delivery, regional haul and drayage applications, the T680E is available as a day cab as either a tractor or straight truck in a 6×4 axle configuration. The zero emissions vehicle has an estimated operating range of 150 miles (about 240 km), depending on application. The T680E uses the industry standard SAE CCS1 charge port and can be fully charged in approximately three hours.
The Class 6 K270E and the Class 7 K370E cabovers are designed for pickup and delivery, as well as short regional haul operations. The electric powertrain is available with high-density battery packs of 141kWh, 209kWh and 282kWh that deliver up to 100-, 150- and 200-mile range, respectively, with zero emissions.
