Navistar unveils first electric commercial truck

Navistar Inc. unveiled the first all-electric commercial truck Thursday during a web conference with the U.S. Department of Energy and FedEx.

The Warrenville company also announced that the Chicago area is one of the initial target markets for the eStar truck.

Navistar is taking orders for the eStar and intends to deliver 400 units by the end of 2010. The first all-electric truck will be delivered to FedEx and used in California, according to FedEx.

The eStar all-electric truck is the first medium-duty commercial vehicle to receive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certification as a clean-fuel fleet vehicle as well as California Air Resources Board certification as a zero emissions vehicle, according to the company.

"We're super excited about this," said FedEx spokeswoman Debora Willis. "It's a priority for the company to provide affordable, electrification of local transportation."

She added that the Memphis, Tenn.,-based company is currently using 10 electric vehicles in London.

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 cost of the new truck is just under $150,000, according to Navistar spokesman Steve Schrier.

"For businesses, municipalities and other organizations that demonstrate their environmental commitment, the eStar provides them with a smart option," said Shane Terblanche, general manager, electric vehicles, Navistar. "We have brought the eStar to market to meet the needs of responsible customers who strive to have a positive impact on the environment through energy efficiency."

FedEx showcased a prototype of the eStar electric truck during last month's "Charge Up Route 66" tour that began in Chicago and ended in Los Angeles as part of the Fortune Brainstorm Green Conference. FedEx will evaluate the performance of the eStar vehicle in its fleet as it operates in the Los Angeles area.

The eStar all-electric truck transitioned from concept to reality in August 2009, when President Barack Obama visited Navistar's manufacturing plant in Indiana to announce a $39.2 million federal stimulus grant to build electric trucks. Less than a year later, Navistar has completed testing and validation, developed and delivered prototype vehicles, and received EPA and CARB certifications. Today, the eStar meets all Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standards and Navistar is taking orders and building the all-electric trucks.

The eStar truck has been purpose-built for electric power, Navistar says, with an aerodynamic design, a low center of gravity and a 36-foot turning radius. It features 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 2 tons.

With zero tailpipe emissions, each eStar truck can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 10 tons annually, the company said.

• Daily Herald news services contributed to this report.

Electric: Truck built to be aerodynamic