At the 57th annual Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC), Navistar Inc. displayed several trucks, including the all-new International TerraStar Class 4/5 medium-duty truck, the Class 2-3c all-electric eStar truck and an International DuraStar medium-duty truck equipped with a natural gas conversion powertrain.
“Electric utility fleet managers have diverse business needs and are looking for a wide range of truck features to help perform their jobs,” said Jim Hebe, senior vice president, North American sales operations, Navistar. “We’re proud to offer one of the broadest, most energy-efficient lines of trucks in the industry, helping deliver real-world savings to the bottom line.”
The International TerraStar Class 4/5 commercial truck has a wide range of commercial-duty features. From its commercial-duty MaxxForce 7 V-8 diesel engine to the largest, roomiest cab available, it sets a new standard in the Class 4/5 truck market, the company said.
Built on a strong and durable commercial-duty platform, the TerraStar is easy to operate and features best-in-class visibility: 28% more than the market leader. And, with an industry-best 107-in. bumper to back-of-cab length and a 44-ft. curb-to-curb turning radius, it offers outstanding maneuverability in even the tightest work environments, according to the company.
The TerraStar truck on display at EUFMC featured an Altec aluminum body, which the company said is approximately 40% lighter than a typical steel body, helping to deliver significant fuel economy improvements.
The International TerraStar features the International Diamond Logic electrical system, which maximizes ease of body integration and helps deliver a number of smart, customizable features, including automated pre-trip inspections, headlights on with wipers, interlocks, programmable switches, Navistar said.
The all-electric eStar truck is the first purpose-built medium-duty commercial vehicle to receive U.S. EPA certification as a clean fuel fleet vehicle, as well as CARB certification as a zero emissions vehicle, the truck maker said.
This Class 2c-3 truck has a range of 100 miles per charge, making it ideal for many urban applications. When it returns to its home base at the end of the day, it can be plugged in and fully recharged in approximately 6 to 8 hours.
The eStar truck has a low center of gravity and a 36-ft. turning circle. It is engineered with superior aerodynamics, a walk-through cab and a quick-change, cassette-type battery that can be swapped out in 20 minutes, enabling around-the-clock operation. It is capable of carrying payloads up to two tons, according to the company.
With zero tailpipe emissions, each eStar truck can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 10 tons annually. The windshield provides nearly 180-degree visibility, while the low-floor design provides easy loading/unloading. The noise level is near zero, which makes this vehicle ideal for urban areas facing noise challenges, Navistar said.
Navistar also showcased a natural gas powered International DuraStar vehicle, which features a conversion kit developed by Emissions Solutions Inc. (ESI) of McKinney, Texas. ESI offers conversions ranging from 175-300 HP with 460-860 ft./lb. torque and are capable of supporting both liquefied and compressed natural gas. Like the other vehicles in it’s portfolio, Navistar said the natural gas-powered DuraStar will be fully certified to meet 2010 emissions.
