Navistar launched a new business unit, Next eMobility Solutions, to deliver customized electrification solutions in the truck and school bus markets.
“Companies interested in operating electric trucks have more questions than answers, and they are looking for a partner who also brings clarity,” said Persio Lisboa, Navistar executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Next combines the technical expertise required to develop leading electric vehicles with the industry experience to deliver custom solutions that go beyond the vehicle.”
Next eMobility Solutions is dedicating an engineering team to developing the products in the electric vehicle space, using a consultative philosophy that embraces the full range of customers’ needs, the OEM explained.
Vehicles developed by Next will be offered under the International Truck and IC Bus nameplates and will be sold and supported by International Truck and IC Bus dealers, respectively. Using Next as a catalyst for implementation, Navistar plans to have IC Bus electric school buses available at the end of 2020, while International medium-duty electric trucks will be introduced in early 2021.
Next has established a “four Cs” approach to developing eMobility solutions:
• Consulting, using experts in commercial truck engineering, charging infrastructure, telematics and more to craft a custom implementation plan for each customer’s business, while optimizing each product for its usage and duty cycle.
• Constructing the vehicle, taking advantage of Navistar’s world-class commercial vehicle manufacturing capability.
• Charging, with solutions designed and delivered to each customer through new partnerships.
• Connecting, using advanced solutions including Navistar’s OnCommand Connection telematics and remote diagnostics platform, to monitor vehicle performance and provide support through the International and IC Bus service networks, the most extensive in the North American commercial transportation industry.
