Schneider is the newest fleet to join the all-electric Freightliner Customer Experience, an ongoing initiative to deploy electric trucks in real-world applications.

The carrier was selected because of it commitment to using cutting-edge technology and advancing sustainable efforts, according to Daimler Trucks North America.

“Schneider’s commitment to innovation is matched only by our commitment to operating sustainably,” said Jake VandeLoo, vice president of equipment engineering at Schneider. “Joining the Freightliner CX Fleet is a great opportunity to flex both of those muscles and help lead the industry in transitioning to more sustainable transportation options.”

Schneider will test the Class 8 eCascadia to detect and address potential challenges to widespread use of commercial battery electric vehicles, monitoring the following processes and characteristics to provide feedback to the OEM:

• The best type of mode, freight characteristics and areas of operation for the vehicle’s charge range

• The charging requirements to help maximize the duty cycle

• Facility modifications needed to accommodate electric trucks

Data and observations will be provided to Freightliner to help the company improve on future vehicle design.

“It’s critical that we collaborate with customers across multiple segments to further our understanding of how commercial battery electric trucks will be part of a long-term solution in CO2-neutral transportation,” said Richard Howard, senior vice president, on-highway sales and marketing at DTNA.

Schneider is set to deploy the eCascadia later this summer and will continue testing it through summer 2021.