Knight-Swift Transportation has ordered a zero-emissions battery electric vehicle from Kenworth. The company’s Kenworth T680E will be operated under a 3-year lease through Paccar Financial.
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 6x4 axle configuration. The new model is offered in 54,000 lb. and 82,000 lb. gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR).
“This is an important milestone for Kenworth and Knight-Swift Transportation,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth general manager and Paccar VP, said. “Kenworth is ‘Driving to Zero Emissions’ by offering battery-electric vehicles that will help fleets move toward their sustainability program goals,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president.
The Kenworth T680E is equipped with 536 hp continuous power and up to 670 hp peak power and 1,623 lb-ft of torque and has a top speed of 70 mph. The zero-emissions vehicle has an estimated operating range of 150 miles, depending on the application. The T680E uses the industry-standard SAE CCS1 charge port and can be fully charged in approximately three hours. With smooth shifting and operation, Kenworth’s Class 8 battery-electric vehicle features Meritor’s Blue Horizon 14Xe™ tandem electric powertrain.
“Our ambitious long-term objective is to reduce carbon emissions generated by our fleet by 50 percent by 2035,” said Dave Williams, SVP of equipment and government relations at Knight-Swift Transportation. “The new Kenworth T680E day cab will provide valuable data from real-world drayage service at Knight Port Services in Southern California over the next three years. We expect the T680E to reduce emissions and be cost-effective.”
