PORTLAND, Ore. (Feb. XX, 2025) — Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) today announced the deployment of two Freightliner eM2s for logistics operations in North Carolina. This milestone marks the first use of Class 6-7 eM2s in DTNA’s logistics network and underscores the company’s commitment to decarbonizing its supply chain with zero-emission vehicles. Building on the successful deployment of Freightliner eCascadias in North Carolina, Pacific Northwest, Arizona, Detroit and Mexico, this initiative is part of DTNA’s broader strategy to integrate electric vehicles into its logistics operations.

The new Freightliner eM2s will be operated by Salem Carriers, which serves DTNA’s inbound logistics network in the Carolinas and is already operating Freightliner eCascadias. Salem Carriers plays a critical role in connecting manufacturing sites, supply chain hubs, and supplier locations. The eM2s will support a daily shuttle service, operating on localized routes. These vehicles will top off at the Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid adjacent to DTNA’s Mt. Holly plant. Inaugurated in November 2024, this first-of-its-kind electrification center for commercial and public electric fleet vehicles is the country’s first zero-emissions, carbon-free microgrid option for fleet charging. The microgrid has already supported the successful deployment of Salem Carrier’s Freightliner eCascadias and will now play a key role in advancing DTNA’s logistics electrification efforts with the eM2s.

“Expanding our inbound logistics electrification with the Freightliner eM2s marks another step forward in our efforts to incorporate sustainable solutions into our supply chain,” said Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and specialty vehicles at DTNA. “The versatility of the eM2 makes it an ideal solution for local shuttle routes in our logistics network, and its integration into our operations highlights the growing role of electric vehicles in efficiently handling critical transport functions.”

To support the integration of electric vehicles into daily operations, Salem Carriers is utilizing a Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution, provided by Electrada in collaboration with Daimler Truck Financial Services (DTFS). The CaaS solution offers a comprehensive, all-inclusive approach to fleet electrification by bundling the deployment, ownership, operation, and maintenance of charging infrastructure, along with energy management into a single predictable monthly cost. This reduces the barriers to electrification for logistics companies by providing a straightforward path to integrate zero-emission vehicles without requiring substantial upfront investment in infrastructure. DTFS has helped facilitate the financing of this solution, further simplifying the adoption of electric trucks for Salem Carriers. The CaaS solution has already been successfully used for the Freightliner eCascadias and is now being applied to support the deployment of the Freightliner eM2s.

“Working with DTFS and Electrada to deploy a CaaS solution has been a game changer for us,” said Dennis Giff, general manager at Salem Carriers. “The seamless integration of charging infrastructure has not only simplified the adoption of zero-emission vehicles but also allowed us to scale our operations with greater flexibility, ensuring we’re equipped to meet the demands of a growing and dynamic fleet. Additionally, the benefit of consolidated billing streamlines the payment process for us, making it more convenient and efficient for us to manage our expenses.”

The Freightliner eM2, which began series production in late 2023, is designed for medium-duty applications such as pick-up and delivery. Built on the proven Freightliner M2 106 Plus platform, the eM2 features a Detroit ePowertrain and offers a typical range of either 180 or 250 miles on a single charge, depending on configuration, making it an ideal fit for local, high-frequency operations.

At DTNA, sustainability is an integral part of its core business and corporate behavior. The integration of electric vehicles into DTNA’s logistics network is one of many initiatives that contribute to DTNA’s sustainable operations. In 2020, the Portland truck manufacturing plant, where the eCascadia is built, achieved CO₂-neutral production with reduced energy consumption and the offset of on-site emissions. DTNA further plans to incorporate CO₂-neutral production at all its remaining truck manufacturing plants by 2026. Moreover, DTNA is actively developing solutions to optimize the entire lifecycle of batteries used in their electric trucks, including repair, remanufacturing, repurposing, and end-of-life recycling. DTNA remains dedicated to innovation and environmental responsibility, reaffirming its commitment to creating a more sustainable supply chain. 

About Daimler Truck North America

Daimler Truck North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a leading provider of comprehensive products, services and technologies for the commercial transportation industry. Daimler Truck North America designs, engineers, manufactures and markets medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school buses, vehicle chassis and their associated technologies and components under the Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp and Detroit brands. Daimler Truck North America is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck Holding AG (DTG), one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers.