Truck Manufacturer Demonstrates An Electric Approach To Logistics

Truck manufacturer Mack Defense — which has been supplying vehicles to the U.S. Army since World War I — has been showing off the capabilities of its latest all-electric model.

The vehicle is on display at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition. The three-day event is being held at the Walter Washington Convention Center, in Washington, DC and concludes today (Wednesday).

“Mack has long been associated with the U.S. Armed Forces, providing support on the battlefield since World War I,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense.

“However, Mack, a 124-year-old company, isn’t resting on its laurels. Mack continues to design and develop innovative trucks, like battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) such as the Mack MD Electric, shown here today. We are proud of Mack’s history, and we look forward to our continued innovations in products and services.”

The Mack MD6 Electric has been developed specifically for medium-duty applications. It is available in 4×2 configurations featuring a sharp wheel cut for enhanced maneuverability in tight urban settings. The cab design features a short bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement of only 103 inches.

Produced at its factory in Salem, Virginia, the Mack MD Electric comes in two configurations. The Class 6 model has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 25,995 pounds, while the Class 7 version has a GVWR of 33,000 pounds. Both boast a three-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous 260 horsepower motor powered by Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) Oxide lithium-ion batteries, rated at 240kWh.

The U.S. Armed Forces are actively evaluating how electric vehicle technologies can be applied to the variety of vehicles used for logistics and for combat operations. The Mack MD Electric is already being used in a myriad of commercial applications providing valuable feedback from users, as well as real-world testing of the various subsystems including energy storage, electric motors, power management systems and power steering, A/C and air compressors.

“This experience will allow Mack Defense to utilize these proven subsystems to develop solutions that meet the needs of the U.S. Armed forces,” Hartzell added.

• You can read more details on the firm's website