Mack Trucks is forming allies related to electric vehicles

Mack Trucks, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, announced what it calls a “comprehensive integrated solutions program” for Mack battery electric vehicle customers created through the addition of two corporate partners: InCharge Energy and Blink Charging Co.

London-based Blink Charging describes itself as a provider of charging equipment that has “contracted, sold or deployed approximately 78,000 charging ports worldwide.” InCharge Energy, based in Santa Monica, Calif., refers to itself as a “comprehensive, turnkey solutions” provider for commercial fleet electric vehicle infrastructure projects.

Mack says the partnerships are two of four he currently has with what it calls infrastructure development companies. “Turnkey Solutions software is a comprehensive fleet management service for all aspects of infrastructure development, including chargers, software, site design, permit acquisition, installation, facility coordination and maintenance of charging equipment,” the truck manufacturer said.

In the waste and recycling market, Mack says it has two electric offerings – the Mack LR Electric and the Mack MD Electric.

“Mack Trucks is focused on simplifying the transition to battery electric vehicles for our customers to help increase the adoption of sustainable transportation,” says Jonathan Randall, president, Mack Trucks North America. “We have our own team dedicated to e-mobility solutions, and through our Integrated Solutions program, we have created a comprehensive program to support the shipping needs of our customers.”

Customers interested in transitioning to electric vehicles may find it difficult to plan and implement charging infrastructure, Mack says, and says that with Turnkey Solutions customers can choose a partner that bundles charging devices and services with their vehicle purchase — from InCharge Energy, Blink Charging, Gilbarco Veeder-Root or Heliox, based on their unique needs.

“We look forward to powering the MD Electric and Mack LR Electric vehicles for Mack customers,” says Steve Kelly, Commercial Director, InCharge Energy. “Our partnership with Mack ensures that the growing number of electrified fleets will ensure availability for a smoother transition to more sustainable modes of transportation.”

“Building reliable charging infrastructure is vital in keeping electric fleets running and on the road,” says Jim Nemec, chief revenue officer at Blink Charging. “We look forward to continuing to work with Mack as they move to bring e-mobility to fleets across the country.”

For his part, Ryan Saba, Director of Energy Solutions at Mack, commented: “These strategic partnerships will provide customers with the support they need throughout the entire process, including charger uptime. This is a key differentiator for Mack as the charging infrastructure is still It represents one of the main obstacles to its adoption.

Mack Trucks says the Next Generation Mack LR Electric delivers 42 percent more power and a record total battery capacity of 376 kilowatt-hours for increased range between charges.

Four nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion batteries drive the LR Electric and provide power for “all onboard accessories,” the company says. The truck maker adds that the two-stage regenerative braking system helps recover energy from the hundreds of stops the vehicle makes each day as the load increases.

The company says both models are supported through Mack’s Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) dealer program.