Electric truck technology evolves quickly, and it’s to the point where the industry as a whole is done talking about it in broad terms that simplify an electric powertrain compared to its diesel brethren. There are still plenty of truck spec’ing decisions to make that will be driven by application and duty cycle, even in an all-electric world. Case in point, the International Trucks eMV that was on display at ACT Expo. The last time we saw the truck was at the Work Truck Show in 2023 when we caught up with Bruce Vasbinder, director of medium-duty segment marketing, International Trucks, to walk around the battery EV.
A lot has changed since then, and much of it driven by the purpose-built nature of vocational trucks. Integration with truck equipment manufacturers is a crucial medium-duty chassis component. In a battery electric truck, the body is driven by an electric power take off (ePTO) and ePower. Vasbinder explained that the ePTO allows for easy connection to hydraulic units, while ePower enables users to plug in directly and draw power from the chassis battery. These systems help bodybuilders adapt the truck for various uses, expanding the range of applications for the EMV.
“One of the biggest questions I have with bodybuilders is: How much power do you need for how long?” he said. “We work through this as part of our consulting to ensure effective usage of the vehicles.”
The International team has also learned about charging. The updated charger location is now under the door in what would be the battery box, instead of behind the passenger-side door. This change, driven by customer feedback, aligns the EMV with the familiar design of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, Vasbinder noted. The new charge port supports both Level 2 and Level 3 charging, and the battery box includes a 12-volt disconnect, which streamlines the vehicle’s electrical management.
Opportunity charging, or the ability to charge during breaks, is another important consideration. By maximizing charging opportunities during downtime such as lunch breaks, fleets can ensure their trucks remain operational for longer periods. This approach is essential for applications that require continuous operation without extended charging times. That’s where International Trucks consulting and customer onboarding comes into play to help guide fleets through the EV transition and work their way down the EV Road Map.
Watch the video above for an in-depth look at the International eMV battery electric truck.
Down the EV Road … Map
Catch up on our EV Fleet Road Map video series that delves into the electric truck adoption process at International Trucks.
No script? No plan? No problem. Welcome to Fleet Equipment Unscripted—the video interview series that connects you with the greatest minds in the heavy-duty trucking world. Fleet Equipment Unscripted is sponsored by Hendrickson.
