AJR Trucking and MDB Transportation ordered 15 Kenworth T680E and 10 Kenworth K270E battery electric vehicles from Inland Kenworth – Montebello. This marks the largest Kenworth battery electric vehicle order placed to date.
AJR Trucking is a United States Postal Service contract carrier based in Los Angeles; MDB Transportation provides transportation services including dedicated, port and rail, LTL, and full truckload.
According to Jack Khudikyan, owner of both companies, this order is a major step to significantly reduce emissions. In 2016, AJR Trucking and MDB Transportation began adding compressed natural gas (CNG) powered Kenworth T680s to reduce carbon emissions. Combined, the companies operate more than 80 natural gas-powered trucks and continue to phase out diesel trucks as operations allow.
“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,” Khudikyan says. “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.”
THE ROAD TO NET ZERO
AJR Trucking will use the K270Es to provide regional postal services in the greater Los Angeles area while the T680Es will operate in MDB Transportation’s drayage operations at the Port of Los Angeles. To offset the cost of the vehicles, the companies received voucher incentives through the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP).
HVIP is part of California Climate Investments, an initiative putting billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions. California Climate Investments also works to strengthen the economy and improve public health and the environment particularly in disadvantaged communities.
“Jack and his team at AJR Trucking and MDB Transportation are real leaders when it comes to addressing the impacts of climate change,” says 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.”
“This is a significant milestone for Kenworth, AJR Trucking, and MDB Transportation,” says Kevin Baney, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president. “We take pride in Jack’s commitment to invest in Kenworth’s battery electric models and be an early adopter of this new technology.”
THE T680E
The T680E is available as a day cab as either a tractor or straight truck in a 6×4 axle configuration. Kenworth offers the model in an 82,000-lb gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). It features 536 hp continuous power and up to 670 hp peak power with 1,623 lb-ft of torque. The T680E has a top speed of 70 mph. Additionally, the zero emissions vehicle has an estimated operating range of 150 miles depending on application. The T680E uses the industry standard SAE CCS1 charge port and can be fully charged in approximately three hours. Finally, Kenworth’s Class 8 battery electric vehicle features Meritor’s Blue Horizon 14Xe™ tandem electric powertrain with smooth shifting and operation.
THE K270E & K370E
Kenworth designed the Class 6 K270E and Class 7 K370E cabovers for pickup and delivery as well as regional-haul operations. The electric powertrain is available with high-density battery packs of 141kWh, 209kWh, and 282kWh. These battery packs deliver up to 100-, 150- and 200-mile range, respectively, with zero emissions. Further, the Kenworth battery electric vehicles use a DC fast-charging system capable of re-charge in as quickly as one hour. Additionally, regenerative braking in stop-and-go city conditions recharges the batteries and extends brake life.
The K270E and K370E offer two direct-drive motors rated at 355 hp and 469 hp depending on the application. The design provides enough torque to start the load from a stop on a 20% grade with power to maintain 40 mph on a 6% grade while fully loaded.
KEEPING THE CHARGE
In addition to the comprehensive Kenworth battery electric vehicle lineup, new EV charging stations are available through PACCAR Parts.
PACCAR Parts electric vehicle (EV) charging stations maximize coverage over a full range of Kenworth electric vehicles with output power from 20 kilowatts (kW) to 350 kW. Customers can rely on PACCAR Parts and infrastructure partners to tailor EV charger solutions to the needs of any fleet. EV chargers can be purchased from Kenworth dealers.
Kenworth customers with questions about any battery electric vehicle incentive programs in the US and Canada may contact Alec Cervenka of Kenworth at alec.cervenka@paccar.com and 425.902.3275.
Find out more, visit www.kenworth.com.
