Toyota Group's Hino Motors teases a Class 8 heavy duty fuel cell electric truck in 2020, delivers the 100% battery electric Tern Class 8 truck in 2024 for the US market.
Apparently Hexagon Purus can do two kinds of zero emission trucks at the same time, and battery power is getting the tap for the US market. In March of 2023, the company announced plans to produce all-electric,“The vehicles will be based on Hino’s XL 4×2 truck chassis and upfitted with Hexagon Purus’ proprietary zero-emission technology, including battery systems, auxiliary modules, power modules and the vehicle-level software,” Hexagon explained in a press release.
“The ACT requires amongst other that 5% of all new class 7 and 8 trucks sold in 2024 in California must be ZEV while new additions to fleets of class 7 and 8 trucks operating to and from intermodal seaports and railyards are required to be ZEV from 2024,” Hexagon explains. The ultimate goal is 100% zero emission truck sales by 2040.Apparently Toyota aims for the Tern to jump ahead of the every-growing electric truck pack in the US market, and they are not messing around.
However, there is a good explanation. “We are excited to introduce a truck that embodies the endurance and efficiency of the Arctic Tern, renowned for its light weight and long migratory journey – a trusty companion you can always rely on,” explained Hexagon CEO Morten Holum in a press statement.That reference to the Arctic Tern also signifies that Hexagon is confident about the new truck’s cold weather performance.
“Improved vehicle system level designs, such as replacing resistance heaters with more efficient heat pumps and heated seating, are critical to reducing parasitic battery loads. Vehicle pre-heating can help to reduce range losses, and planning ahead for operational changes can set fleets up for success,” they added.