Mack’s first Class 8 electric vehicle, the LR, is now in serial production at their Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO) plant in Macungie, Pennsylvania.
The Mack LR Electric has four NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) lithium-ion batteries and uses a 150kW SAE J1772 charging system. The battery pack provides 12, 24, and 600-volt power for the truck’s electric circuits, so it’s still compatible with standard semi electrical parts. It uses a three-mode regenerative braking system designed with frequent stops in mind, recapturing as much energy as possible on delivery and pickup routes.
The Mack LR Electric is set up to work with equipment bodies from various manufacturers. Inside, drivers will find the same ergonomic design as Mack’s diesel LR trucks. Likewise, buyers have the same seating and door options as diesel. The only significant difference on the outside between the models is the Electric’s copper bulldog hood ornament.
The Mack LR Electric comes with an Ultra service agreement. This includes a tailored upgrade package for this electric truck, including preventative and scheduled maintenance, towing, repair, a separate battery warranty, and monitoring through connected services. Using Mack’s GuardDog Connect, the truck and its batteries can monitor health and performance. It also logs fault codes for the entire electric storage system.
The LR Electric was announced in 2018. The first demonstration vehicle was delivered to the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) in September of last year, with a second vehicle delivered to Republic Services in Hickory, NC, the following month. These vehicles were used for real-world testing during the run-up to production. DSNY announced they would add seven more LR Electrics to their fleet for use across the city.
