Kodiak Robotics, a self-driving trucking startup, has revealed its first all-electric Class 8 truck – a zero-emissions Peterbilt Model 579EV equipped with Kodiak’s autonomous driving technology. The vehicle was unveiled at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Anaheim, California.
Kodiak’s latest tech integration
Kodiak plans to incorporate the truck into its fleet next year, utilizing its recently unveiled fifth-generation hardware platform, which includes 18 sensors and Luminar’s Iris lidar. The company’s Kodiak Driver technology is designed to be vehicle- and powertrain-agnostic, making it easy to integrate into various truck platforms, regardless of fuel type.
The Model 579EV boasts a peak power rating of 670 horsepower and can be recharged in three hours. However, its maximum range of 150 miles highlights the challenges of electric trucks, as most self-driving trucks developed to date have been diesel-powered, with notable exceptions like Sweden’s Einride.
Short-haul and drayage deployments
Kodiak intends to use the Model 579EV for short-haul and drayage deployments, as well as a test vehicle. This strategy positions the company to integrate future iterations of the Kodiak Driver into electric vehicle platforms as technology evolves and ranges increase. Autonomous tech has been shown to reduce fuel consumption by about 10%, which will help extend electric trucks’ range.
The road to zero-emissions trucking
The truck industry has generally been slower than the automobile industry in adopting electrification. However, California’s recent mandate requiring all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold or registered in the state to be zero emissions by 2036 emphasizes the need to transition to cleaner technologies.
Kodiak CEO Don Burnette said, “We believe that the future of trucking is the combination of electric and autonomous vehicles.” With advancements in battery and fuel cell technologies, Kodiak aims to be at the forefront of zero-emissions trucking, and the Peterbilt Model 579EV will provide valuable experience in building autonomous electric vehicles.
Kodiak also plans to explore other sustainable vehicle platforms, such as hydrogen fuel cells, as they become available. The company has made significant progress in recent years, partnering with IKEA, US Express, and 10 Roads Express for autonomous trucking pilots in Texas, Oklahoma, and the Southeast.
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