Mack adds EV charging vendors to its fleet electrification solutions

Mack Trucks is partnering with EV charging vendors Heliox and Gilbarco Veeder-Root to help fleet customers adopt battery-electric vehicles such as the Mack LR Electric, Mack’s first fully electric Class 8 refuse truck.

“This is another terrific example of Mack offering the total solution for electrification,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “Partnering with these two well-known companies is a game-changer for Mack in the sense that we can now support our customers with their infrastructure upgrades, enabling them to have better access to mobile and fixed chargers.”

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Randall said that Atlanta-based Heliox and Gilbarco, which is based in Greensboro, North Carolina, went through testing to ensure their charging solutions would be reliable for Mack customers.

These agreements offer end-to-end support and enable customer accessibility to Mack partners, who will help them in their journey toward zero-emissions technology. The strategic partnerships provide customers access to on-hand inventory, hardware installation services, and support resources focused on charger uptime.

Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA), which like Mack, is part of Volvo Group, also offers Gilbarco and Heliox chargers directly to trucking customers through its Vendor Direct Shipping program. The mobile and fixed EV charging hardware solutions program launched in September with Heliox as its first vendor.

“Volvo Trucks continues to expand our network of technology partners and service providers to provide comprehensive electromobility solutions that enable our fleet customers to streamline the deployment of Volvo VNR Electric trucks,” said Peter Voorhoeve, VTNA president. “The Volvo Trucks’ Vendor Direct Shipping Program provides our customers expedited access to charging hardware that has already successfully completed interoperability testing with the Volvo VNR Electric model so that they can reliably charge their trucks once their EV charging infrastructure is energized.”

Five EV charger models for fleets

The Vendor Direct Shipping program now includes five models of EV chargers with more options and partners being added as demand grows:

Gilbarco Veeder-Root

Kempower 50kW Mobile DC Fast Charger (Single Port CCS-1)
ABB Terra 124 120kW DC Fast Charger (Dual Ports CCS-1)
ABB Terra 184 180kW DC Fast Charger (Dual Ports CCS-1)

Heliox

50kW Mobile DC Fast Charger (Single Port CCS-1)
180kW Flex DC Fast Charger (Up to 3 Dispensers with CCS-1)

ABB's Terra 124 and Terra 184 DC fast chargers from Gilbarco Veeder-Root can provide 120 kW and 180 kW. These chargers offer high voltage and high current capabilities, which support fast charging for fleets that demand high reliability and asset utilization.

“At Heliox, we know full well the hurdles that fleets face when embarking on a transition to electric vehicles,” said David Aspinwall, Heliox group chief commercial officer and president of Heliox North America. “By combining our robust portfolio of EV charging solutions and support with Mack’s world-class electric truck, customers can lean on our combined industry experience to ensure they’re getting started with a straightforward, reliable EV solution with right-sized chargers for their needs today while also planning for their long-term objectives.”

Many fleets looking to add electric vehicles have faced long lead times for components, installation, and utility services.

“We believe Gilbarco Veeder-Root, with its unique portfolio of Turnkey e-Mobility offerings combined with over 150 years of experience in fueling solutions serving fleets, will bring significant value to Mack Trucks customers,” said Deepesh Nayanar, head of e-Mobility North America, Gilbarco Veeder-Root.

About the Mack LR Electric

Republic Services tests a prototype Mack LR Electric on residential recycling runs in North Carolina in 2020, before the truck went into full production in 2021.

The next generation Mack LR Electric offers 42 percent more energy and a standard 376kWh total battery capacity for increased range between charges. Twin electric motors with 448 continuous horsepower and a 4,051 lb.-ft. of peak torque output from zero RPM power the vehicle. A copper-colored Bulldog on the cab identifies it as a Mack truck with an electric drivetrain.

Four NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) lithium-ion batteries, charged through a 150 kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system, propel the vehicle and provide power for all onboard accessories through 12V, 24V, and 600V circuits. The two-stage regenerative braking system helps recapture energy from the hundreds of stops the vehicle makes each day with an increasing load. The Mack LR Electric may be fitted with equipment bodies from numerous manufacturers based on the unique needs of the customer. The same driver/passenger side driving configurations, as well as seating choices and door options, are offered in the LR Electric as on the diesel-powered Mack LR model.

“Customers can now acquire EV charging hardware solutions directly from Mack dealers when purchasing a Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle,” said Ryan Saba, Mack Trucks energy solutions manager. “With these agreements, charging solutions in all desired power levels from 50kWh to 180kWh are available to support varying fleet duty cycles and dwell times. Customers now have access to Mack strategic partners who will support the development of specialized and forward-thinking infrastructure to best suit their charging requirements and energy demands.”

To help simplify the purchase process and help customers better manage expenses associated with acquiring the Mack LR Electric model, Mack recently launched its all-inclusive Vehicle-as-a-Service (VaaS). VaaS includes the vehicle chassis, the refuse body, applicable taxes, and a comprehensive vehicle protection plan, the Mack Ultra Service Agreement, for the Mack LR Electric model.