Mack Trucks recently revealed its Mack MD Electric, the company’s first electric vehicle (EV) in the medium-duty segment of the trucking industry. The MD Electric is the second EV introduced by Mack Trucks to the industry. The first was the Mack LR Electric, which went into production in December 2021. The brand’s second electric truck debuted during the recently concluded National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) 2023 Work Truck Show at Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
Mack Trucks has provided purpose-built transportation solutions for more than a century, dedicated to durability, reliability, and meeting customers’ needs. Today, Mack is one of North America’s largest producers of heavy-duty trucks, and Mack trucks are sold and serviced through an extensive distribution network in more than 45 countries.
The newest electric truck will complement its highly efficient, diesel-powered MD model sibling, which has experienced growing customer demand since its introduction in 2020. Adding a zero-tailpipe emissions battery-electric vehicle (BEV) to the Mack medium-duty lineup supports the company’s long-term sustainability goals.
“Mack established itself as an electrification leader with the heavy-duty Mack LR Electric Refuse Vehicle. We’re excited to add the MD Electric to our zero-tailpipe emissions lineup,” said Martin Weissburg, global president of Mack Trucks. “This is another important step in our efforts to drive decarbonization and a more sustainable future. We plan to continue investing in technologies that help improve the environment and society.”
Mack MD Electric tax exemption
The Mack MD Electric will be available like its diesel counterpart in Class 6 and Class 7 ratings. The Class 6 model has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 25,995 pounds, and the Class 7 model has a GVWR of 33,000 pounds. Both models are exempt from the 12% Federal Excise Tax (FET). The Mack MD Electric will be produced at Roanoke Valley Operations (RVO) in Roanoke Valley, Virginia, where Mack began production of the Mack MD Series in 2020.
“The Mack MD Electric joins the full lineup of Class 6 to 8 vehicles Mack offers to help customers meet their application needs,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “Building on the success of the diesel-powered Mack MD Series, the Mack MD Electric will help our customers meet their sustainability goals without sacrificing the durability, reliability, and total cost of ownership for which Mack is known.”
The MD Electric’s three-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous motor and all onboard accessories are powered by Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) Oxide lithium-ion batteries, either in a 150kWh or 240kWH configuration. The MD Electric can be charged through AC or DC charging units. The regenerative braking system helps recapture energy from the multiple stops the vehicle makes each day.
Developed specifically for medium-duty applications, the Mack MD Electric is built with the same focus on reliability, durability, and productivity customers have come to expect from a Mack truck. Designed with the heavy-duty quality of its diesel-powered counterparts, the MD Electric is available in 4×2 configurations featuring a sharp wheel cut for enhanced maneuverability in tight urban settings.
The MD Series cab design features a short bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement of 103 inches, an industry best. Like the diesel-powered Mack MD Series, Mack matched the bold look and styling of the Mack Anthem, Mack’s highway model, as a basis for the MD Electric grille and hood design. Moreover, it will be supported by Mack dealers, who are already Mack-Certified EV dealers.
The MD Electric will meet the needs of trucking applications requiring dry van/refrigerated, stake/flatbed, and dump vocations. The MD6 model does not require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate for non-hazardous payloads. (Story and photos courtesy of Mack Trucks)