SAN FRANCISCO, April 27 (Reuters) – Commercial vehicle maker Daimler Truck ( DTGGe.DE ) on Thursday launched Rizon, an electric medium-duty truck brand for the U.S., aiming to take on Isuzu Motors Ltd ( 7202.T ) and Toyota Motor Corp’s ( 7203.T ) truck and bus unit Hino Motors Ltd ( 7205.T ).
Truck manufacturers have long anticipated a shift to electric vehicles (EVs) with lower maintenance costs, but adoption has been slow due to the higher purchase price and lack of charging infrastructure appropriate
Rizon will offer Class 4 and 5 trucks with lithium iron phosphate battery technology and will begin production in the third quarter of 2023, Andreas Deuschle, Rizon’s global head, said on a call with reporters.
Distribution will begin in the fourth quarter through an exclusive agreement with Velocity Vehicle Group, the company said.
Karl Deppen, head of Daimler Truck Asia, said purchase prices for some vehicles that received various subsidies were falling and interest in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) was increasing based on their peace of mind and convenience compared to diesel trucks.
“There is a lot of momentum towards locally emission-free vehicles and BEVs, and this is the perfect opportunity here,” he added.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this month proposed a sweeping reduction in emissions from new cars and trucks by 2032, a move it said could mean two-thirds of new vehicles sold would be electric in a decade
Tighter rules for medium-duty vehicles are expected to reduce emissions by 44% by 2026.
Daimler already makes a medium-duty Freightliner eM2 106 for distribution purposes such as beverage delivery and the Freightliner eCascadia, an 18-wheeler, intended for regional distribution and port services with a range of up to 230 miles.
Depending on the battery variant, the Rizon trucks will offer a range of 75 miles to 110 miles (121 km to 177 km) or 110 miles to 160 miles. The company said it would target customers involved in urban retail logistics, last-mile deliveries and municipal work.
Reporting by Abhirup Roy in San Francisco; Editing by Leslie Adler
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