Roanoke Valley Operations (RVO) in Virginia, where all Mack Trucks’ medium-duty vehicles are assembled, is now certified and participating in Appalachian Power Company’s 100% Renewable Wind-Water-Sunlight (WWS) Service.
This means that RVO purchases 100% of its renewable energy with zero CO2 emissions from Appalachian Power, meeting the needs of Mack’s and RVO’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
“This certification is very important to Mack Trucks and RVO specifically because it allows us to act on our public commitment to sustainability,” says Antonio Servidoni, vice president at RVO. “Mack not only offers electric vehicles, such as the Mack® MD Electric that will be assembled here at RVO later this year, but also it is committed to working toward a sustainable future in our facilities.”
Appalachian Power’s WWS program allows customers the ability to consume renewable power around the clock with 100% of the energy generated by the company’s renewable power generators. The combination of wind, hydroelectric, and solar power means that a customer’s load is being met with renewable resources anytime—day or night. Appalachian Power has 338 megawatts of renewable resources available to its Virginia customers through the WWS program, which is enough to power 75,000 homes.
“RVO is among Appalachian Power’s key participants in the WWS program,” says Aaron Walker, Appalachian Power president and chief executive officer. “RVO’s emphasis placed on sustainability and environmental stewardship is industry-leading. We are pleased to be able to offer this option for business and industrial customers seeking to power their operations with 100% renewable energy.”
Mack invested $13 million to establish RVO for the production of the Mack MD Series, which went into production in September 2020. The Mack MD Electric, introduced in March 2023, will be produced at the facility at the end of the year.
The Mack MD6, a Class 6 model, has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 25,995 pounds, and the MD7, a Class 7 model, has a GVWR of 33,000 pounds. Both models are exempt from the 12% Federal Excise Tax. These diesel-powered MD models meet the needs of trucking applications requiring dry van/refrigerated, stake/flatbed, dump and tank truck vocations. The MD6 model does not require a CDL to operate for non-hazardous payloads.
The Mack MD Electric is also available in Class 6 and Class 7 ratings and will meet the needs of trucking applications requiring dry van/refrigerated, stake/flatbed and dump vocations. The MD Electric’s three-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous motor and all on-board accessories are powered by Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide lithium-ion batteries, either in a 150kWh or 240kWh configuration. The MD Electric can be charged through AC or DC charging units. The regenerative braking system helps recapture energy from the multiple stops the vehicle makes each day.
For more information, visit www.macktrucks.com.
