Battery-Electric Class 8 Tractors
Eight all-electric trucks that might be a consideration for your fleet.
Electric vehicles (EVs) started out with cars, but they gradually moved up the line and now battery power is appearing in large trucks, right up to Class 8 models. The segment is still pretty much in its infancy, but of course it has to start somewhere.
Just as with electric consumer vehicles, Class 8 trucks aren’t without challenges. They’re pricier than their diesel equivalents, and the weight of their batteries can potentially affect their payload capacity. Range can be an issue, as well as charging them, both for the time it takes, and for charging station infrastructure, which is also in its relatively early stages. Trucks with hydrogen fuel cells—basically electric vehicles that make their own electricity using ambient air and an onboard supply of hydrogen—are quicker to fill than a battery is to charge, but hydrogen fuelling stations are even rarer than charging stations.
Battery trucks have an energy efficiency (how they convert electrical energy into mechanical energy) of approximately 65% to 85%, while diesel trucks are only 40% to 50%. They also require less maintenance overall, but their range usually limits them to shorter-haul operations.
We’ve rounded up eight trucks here, but with the caveat that not all of them may be in Canadian showrooms yet, or readily available in all regions. Also, full specifications are not available for all of them.
BYD 8TT
The 8TT tandem axle truck makes up to 483 horsepower and 662 lb-ft of torque, and with a GCWR of 82,000 lbs. The standard battery is 422 kWh, while an extended-range battery is 563 kWh, providing up to 325 km or 485 km of range, respectively. Top speed is 104 km/h.
BYD makes its own proprietary iron phosphate battery systems, which it says are capable of thousands of cycles with minimal degradation and are ideal for heavy-duty trucks. In addition to a day cab, BYD also makes a Class 8 refuse truck and terminal tractor.
Power: 483 hp
Torque: 662 lb-ft
GCWR: 82,000 lbs
Battery capacity: 422 kWh or 563 kWh
Range: 325 km or 485 km
Freightliner eCascadia
The eCascadia comes in single drive, rated at GCWR of 65,000 lbs; or in tandem drive for 82,000 lbs. In single drive, the standard configuration has a range of approximately 250 km, while the long-range version goes to 370 km; and the tandem drive to 354 km. Charging is up to 270 kW with available dual-port charging, and the battery can be replenished to 80% in about 90 minutes.
The single-motor system makes a maximum of 195 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque, while the dual-motor delivers 395 horsepower and up to 23,000 lb-ft of torque. The truck also features ergonomic seats, LED-backlit switches, and dual instrument cluster and infotainment screens.
Power: 195 hp or 395 hp
Torque: 11,500 lb-ft or 23,000 lb-ft
GCWR: 65,000 lbs or 82,000 lbs.
Battery capacity: 291 kWh or 438 kWh
Range: 250 km or 354 km or 370 km
Kenworth T680E
Kenworth’s 6x4 T680E is based on its conventional T680 diesel tractor platform, and features a 396-kWh battery with Meritor 14Xe axles and two-speed integrated transmission. Continuous power is 536 horsepower, with a 670-horsepower peak and 1,623 lb-ft of torque.
Range is up to an estimated 275 kilometres, with a top speed of 112 km/h. Its GCWR is up to 82,000 lbs, and an electric PTO is available. Maximum charging rate is 150 kW, and charging takes three hours with an appropriate fast charger. Chargers are available through Kenworth’s parent company PACCAR (and for Peterbilt also).
Power: 536 hp (670 hp peak)
Torque: 1,623 lb-ft
GCWR: 82,000 lbs.
Battery capacity: 396 kWh
Range: 275 km
Lion8 Tractor
Based in Quebec, Lion unveiled its EV 6x4 tractor in May 2024. It features tandem two-speed e-axles rated at 1,622 lb-ft of torque each, and has a top speed of 112 km/h. Battery capacity is 630 kWh and range is up to 443 km.
The big deal is the Lion8’s GCWR of up to 127,000 lbs, right now the highest in the EV segment. It can regain 80% of its battery charge in 90 minutes and features Lion’s proprietary 750V high-density battery system. Advanced driver-assist features and a rear camera are available.
Power: 670 hp
Torque: 1,622 lb-ft
GCWR: 127,000 lbs
Battery capacity: 630 kWh
Range: 443 km
Nikola Tre
The Tre 6x2 features a 738-kWh battery pack with an estimated range of 530 km and a top speed of 112 km/h. Continuous power is 645 horsepower with available instantaneous boost to 1,069 hp, along with continuous 12,500 lb-ft of torque.
Fast-charging the battery to 80% at 350 kW takes 90 minutes. The high seating position improves visibility, and the wraparound dash includes a 17-inch touchscreen
Power: 645 hp (1,069 peak)
Torque: 12,500 lb-ft
GCWR: 82,000 lbs
Battery capacity: 738 kWh
Range: 530 km
Peterbilt 579EV
Peterbilt’s electric day cab produces a maximum of 670 horsepower. Its 400-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery gives it an estimated range of 240 km, with a three-hour charging time on its maximum vehicle charge speed of 150 kW.
Its GCWR is 82,000 lbs. Its two-speed e-axles have a 2:1 gearing reduction for efficient acceleration from a stop, and its recommended top cruising speed is a maximum of 105 km/h. Its regenerative braking system has four selectable settings, from zero to 100%, which can slow the truck to 8 km/hr before the driver needs to use the service brakes.
Power: 670 hp
Torque: N/A
GCWR: 82,000 lbs
Battery capacity: 400 kWh
Range: 240 km
Tesla Semi
Tesla says a Semi loaded to a 37,000-lb GCWR has a range of approximately 800 km and with energy consumption of less than 1.25 kW per kilometre; and acceleration from a stop to 100 km/h takes 25 seconds. It features three independent motors on the rear axle, and can fast-charge to up to 70% of its range in half an hour.
Power: N/A
Torque: N/A
GCWR: 37,000 lbs
Battery capacity: N/A
Range: 800 km
Volvo VNR Electric
Volvo’s VNR is available in Canada, both as a straight truck and in three tractor configurations of 4x2, 6x2, and 6x4. The 4x2 comes with a 375-kWh battery and a range of 280 km. The 6x2 and 6x4 also have a range of up to 280 km, but can be upgraded to six batteries for up to 442 km. The GCWR is up to 66,000 lbs on the 4x2, and up to 82,000 on the other two trucks.
The VNR’s electric motor makes 455 horsepower and up to 4,051 lb-ft of torque. Top speed on all three models is 109 km/h.
Power: 455 hp
Torque: 4,051 lb-ft
GCWR: 66,000 lbs or 82,000 lbs
Battery capacity: 375 kWh
Range: 280 km or 442 km
