In a symbolic show of the power of electric trucks, Kenworth and Peterbilt etrucks have become the first heavy-duty zero emissions vehicles to drive to the summit of the 4302-metre-high Pikes Peak.
The battery electric Peterbilt Model 579EV and the fuel cell electric Kenworth T680 took to the renowned Pikes Peak hillclimb course on “America’s Mountain” in Colorado.
They had to negotiate 7-10% gradients, climbing through 156 tight turns and a 1432m elevation gain in 20 kilometres.
“Conquering Pikes Peak demonstrates PACCAR’s leadership in fuel cell and commercial vehicle electrification,” says Kyle Quinn, PACCAR chief technology officer.
Peterbilt GM and PACCAR vice president Jason Skoog says taking the Model 579EV to the Pikes Peak summit “is an important milestone for Peterbilt and our entire lineup of battery electric commercial vehicles.”
It is also, he says, “further validation of all the real-world miles Peterbilt has accumulated across our entire EV test fleet and demonstrates we are ready to deliver production vehicles to our customers next year.”
The T680 FCEV has 470 horsepower/350 kilowatts and a 560km range, using a Toyota hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain. The Model 579EV uses high-energy density, state-of-the-art battery packs that deliver a 240km range and can be recharged in three to four hours. It produces up to 670hp/499kW.
The FCEVs are due to soon go to work at Los Angeles ports, while the BEV Pete is targeted at regional haul, port, metro pickup and delivery and last mile operations.