Penske Truck Leasing is working with EnerSys to put another battery electric Freightliner eM2 into service as part of its electric vehicle program. EnerSys will use the Freightliner eM2 throughout Southern California to transport products to customers and dealer facilities, answer emergency road calls, and shuttle tools and equipment to job sites.

“In spite of unprecedented times, fleet sustainability and innovation remain a priority for us as we look to the future,” Paul Rosa, senior vice president of procurement and fleet planning at Penske Truck Leasing, said. “We remain committed to being on the forefront of vehicle electrification for our customers and the industry. Innovative companies like EnerSys are looking to Penske for guidance as they implement their own forward-thinking sustainability goals now and in the future.”

In 2018, Penske Truck Leasing and Daimler Trucks North America formed a partnership to test commercial electric trucks from the Freightliner brand in real-world situations and drive future improvements to the technology. The venture is supported by a partnership between Daimler Trucks North America and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), which focuses on improving air quality in large portions of California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley.

“We are excited to broaden our partnership with Penske and Daimler Trucks NA through this unique initiative as we continue our passion to deliver innovative solutions to optimize essential fleet and supply chain operations,” Mark Matthews, senior vice president specialty global at EnerSys, said. “This is a deep-learning opportunity to understand through our own use-case the electrification of commercial vehicles, along with the alternative chemistries in these platforms, to continue to advance our ODYSSEY battery program as a recognized leader in advanced energy storage and delivery capabilities.”

The electric truck fleet is supported by a network of heavy-duty electric vehicle charging stations at six Penske Truck Leasing facilities in Southern California. Penske also performs preventive maintenance at these locations.