Navistar Launches eStar All-Electric Truck in Portland
Portland, Oregon, is often referred to as the most environmentally friendly city in the United States. In that part of the Pacific Northwest, working green is the gateway to simple, effective and beautiful community solutions. So it made perfect sense when Navistar announced today that one of the nation’s most environmentally sustainable cities — Portland, Ore. — will be the initial launch market for Navistar’s eStar truck — the first full-production, purpose-built all-electric truck.
“We’re excited to debut the eStar in Portland and give local media and government officials an up-close look at one of the coolest, most environmentally friendly commercial trucks on the road today,” said Jim Hebe, senior vice president, North American sales operations, Navistar. “As one of the most sustainable cities in the nation, a city like Portland can appreciate the amazing potential of the eStar all-electric truck when it comes to clean, energy-efficient transportation.”
“Freight and service trucks present the biggest opportunity for real and significant reductions in carbon emissions and pollution, especially in the urban environment,” said Portland Mayor Sam Adams. “Because of all Portland is doing to be a more sustainable and prosperous city and encourage the electric vehicle industry, I’m proud that Navistar chose Portland as its initial launch city for the eStar purpose-built, all-electric truck.”
Navistar also announced its eStar dealer for the Pacific Northwest market — Cascadia International Trucks of Tacoma, Wash. With more than 50 years experience, Cascadia International has a reputation for outstanding customer service and will provide all sales, service and parts needs for eStar customers in the region.
“With the eStar truck making its debut in Portland today, Navistar is fully capable to support our customers through select dealers networked in our initial launch regions,” Hebe added. “No other commercial electric vehicle competes with the eStar in terms of capacity, size and application. We believe customers will love the eStar because of its capabilities as an electric vehicle and won’t have to change their fleet usage in order to take advantage of the truck’s performance.”
The eStar all-electric truck is the first medium-duty commercial vehicle to receive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification as a clean fuel fleet vehicle as well as California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification as a zero-emissions vehicle.
This Class 2c-3 electric truck — the first in its category — 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 within six to eight hours.
“The all-electric eStar commercial truck is a groundbreaking product and Navistar is once again leading the way in bringing innovative, game-changing products to market,” Hebe added. “Along with the advancements we’ve made in aerodynamics and fuel efficiency for heavy trucks, our comprehensive lineup of hybrid trucks and school buses, and now with the addition of the eStar all-electric truck, Navistar has the largest portfolio of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly trucks in the industry.”
