Mack Trucks revealed its Mack MD Electric, the company’s first electric vehicle in the medium-duty trucking segment during an event at the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) 2023 Work Truck Show. The Mack MD Electric will be available like its diesel counterpart in Class 6 and Class 7 ratings. According to the company, the Class 6 model has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 25,995 lbs, and the Class 7 model has a GVWR of 33,000 lbs. Both models are exempt from the 12% Federal Excise Tax (FET).
The MD Electric’s three-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous motor and all on-board accessories, according to the company, are powered by Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) Oxide lithium-ion batteries, either in a 150kWh or 240kWH configuration, sporting ranges up to 140 miles and up to 230 miles, respectively. The MD Electric can be charged through AC or DC charging units. The regenerative braking system helps recapture energy from the multiple stops the vehicle makes each day.
The MD Series cab design features a short bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement of 103 in. Similar to the diesel-powered Mack MD Series, Mack matched the look and styling of the Mack Anthem, Mack’s highway model, as a basis for the MD Electric grille and hood design. The company notes that the Mack MD Electric will be supported by Mack dealers, many of which are already Mack Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) dealers.
Developed specifically for medium-duty applications, Mack emphasized that the product was designed with the heavy-duty quality of its diesel-powered counterparts. The MD Electric is available in 4×2 configurations featuring a sharp wheel cut for enhanced maneuverability in tight urban settings. Additionally, the MD model does not require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to operate for non-hazardous payloads.
Mack notes that its MD Electric will be produced at Roanoke Valley Operations (RVO) in Roanoke Valley, Virginia, where Mack began production of the Mack MD Series in 2020. The MD Electric is the second electric vehicle introduced by Mack Trucks proceeding the Mack LR Electric, which went into production in December 2021.
