ANAHEIM, California—Just days after launching a diesel-powered long-haul tractor, Mack Trucks is already looking ahead to its electrification. But the Bulldog’s engine still barks.
“We are still riding a pretty decent high” after the OEM’s extravagant 125th anniversary celebration in early April, company President Jonathan Randall said April 29 while standing in front of the new Mack Pioneer Class 8 truck here at North America’s biggest alt-transportation convention.
“Why did we bring a diesel truck to a clean transportation show?” he asked during a media event on the expansive Advanced Clean Transportation Expo show floor.
One reason is that Mack leaders wanted to showcase the new ultra-aerodynamic highway truck, which made its public debut in Brooklyn, New York, during the milestone celebration. The Pioneer is Mack’s most efficient Class 8 diesel—gaining 11% more fuel economy than the Mack Anthem.
Another reason is that there’s more than one way to fuel transportation’s transformation.
“It’s important the industry is starting to really realize that the road to cleaner transportation is one of multiple parallel paths,” Fernando Couceiro, Mack Trucks’ highway and product VP, said during ACT. “There’s not one single solution—as long as we transition from where we are today.”
See also: What are other fuels that trucking can use?
Couceiro said that along with battery-electric and fuel cell electric, “the combustion engine has a very important role to play.” Instead of fossil-fuel diesel, trucking can run on low-carbon biofuels such as renewable diesel, renewable natural gas, and green hydrogen.
But today’s diesel and truck technology is already lowering emissions, he noted. Along those lines, Mack this week announced it has a CARB-24 Omnibus-compliant engine awaiting certification in California. Its sibling OEM, Volvo Trucks North America, made a similar announcement during ACT Expo.
Randall noted that simply updating to more efficient diesel equipment is a straightforward way to increase efficiency without worrying about alternative power sources. “But it is an alternative show, so I’m pleased to say that starting next year, you will be able to order the Mack Pioneer as a battery-electric truck using Proterra batteries and Mack’s proprietary e-axle,” he said.
More details on the Mack Pioneer Electric
Designed for regional haul, drayage, and hub-and-spoke operations, the EV Pioneer will be available as a day cab or 44-in. short sleeper.
The Mack Pioneer Electric will feature an entirely in-house electric platform utilizing Mack’s proprietary e-axle and Proterra batteries. Part of Mack’s parent company, the Volvo Group, Proterra has offices in California and South Carolina, with its products designed, engineered, and assembled in the U.S.
The Proterra H2-23 battery has been rigorously tested to ensure it can withstand the most demanding environments while also charging quickly, according to Mack. The compact battery pack is designed with advanced active and passive safety features to mitigate risks and ensure optimal on-road performance.
The Pioneer BEV will be based on the diesel-powered Mack Pioneer, which comes in four sleeper configurations and as a day cab.
