Daimler Truck North America collaborates with Salem carriers and electrada for logistics electrification

Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) and Salem Carriers, Inc., a dedicated contract logistics company, have announced a new initiative to electrify DTNA’s inbound logistics operations at Salem Carriers’ hub near Charlotte, North Carolina. This project builds on DTNA’s previous electrification efforts in the Pacific Northwest and Mexico and aims to enhance sustainable transportation goals.

The collaboration includes Daimler Truck Financial Services (DTFS) and Electrada, a fleet electrification solutions company based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Together, they offer an all-in-one Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution with a fixed and predictable monthly rate, covering the development, operation, and maintenance of the charging infrastructure and energy contracts.

Salem Carriers, responsible for DTNA’s inbound logistics in the Carolinas, will use Freightliner eCascadia vehicles for daily logistics routes. This operation is supported by DTFS and Electrada, providing a comprehensive depot electrification effort aligned with DTNA’s goal of implementing electric mobility solutions throughout its operations.

The CaaS solution includes deployment, ownership, operation, and energy management of the fleet charging infrastructure at Salem’s Statesville, North Carolina depot, complemented by en-route top-off charging at the Duke Energy/Electrada mobility microgrid in Mt. Holly, North Carolina. DTFS facilitates this transition by integrating vehicle leases, electric service programs, insurance, and other components into a unified, predictable cost structure for Salem.

Key highlights of the initiative:

– Continued Electrification of Inbound Logistics: Building on previous initiatives in the Pacific Northwest and Mexico, the collaboration with Salem integrates zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) into DTNA’s supply chain, reinforcing the company’s sustainability pledge.

– First CaaS Project for DTFS with Electrada: This partnership marks DTFS’s inaugural implementation of CaaS, setting a model for future electrification efforts.

– Service-Level Agreement Backed CaaS Solutions: A performance-backed CaaS model for depot electrification, recognized as the most reliable approach for critical transport operations.

– Custom Electric Service Program: A tailored program catering to specific operational needs and duty cycles for Salem’s DTNA operations, ensuring energy cost stability.

– Integration with Duke Energy Microgrid: Located near DTNA’s eastern U.S. manufacturing facility, the Duke Energy/Electrada mobility microgrid provides Salem with reliable electric fuel, supported by a unique utility-partnered setup featuring solar generation, stationary energy storage, and advanced energy management applications.

Statements from key leaders:

Jeff Allen, Senior VP of Operations and Specialty Vehicles at DTNA, stated: “This program with DTFS, Salem, and Electrada reinforces DTNA’s commitment to decarbonization throughout the supply chain by seamlessly using Daimler vehicle and energy solutions available to all logistics enterprises today. Electrifying our inbound logistics operations is a clear testament to the reliability of DTNA’s electric Freightliner trucks, combined with high-performance charging infrastructure and rigorous energy management. There’s no better validation point to the market than being the customer of your own solution.”

Stephan Unger, CEO of Daimler Truck Financial Services, emphasized: “By addressing the charging infrastructure, we are able to better support zero-emission truck goals and ultimately unlock larger environmental and socio-economic benefits. This project is an important step in the DTFS transformation, from pure financial services to a complete service provider for the commercial vehicle industry.”

Dennis Giff, General Manager at Salem Carriers, noted: “Introducing battery electric vehicles to our operations was a new initiative. The DTFS/Electrada approach was unified, aligned with our operating needs, and set the stage to scale future electric vehicle integration into our services.”

Kevin Kushman, CEO of Electrada, added: “Only through the comprehensive bundling of services are logistics companies, like Salem, able to eliminate the capital, technology, and energy price volatility risks of launching a zero-emissions fleet. We’re proud to team with Daimler Truck Financial Services and Daimler Truck North America to demonstrate how to meet the reliability and TCO requirements of a critical logistics function with our zero-emissions CaaS solution.”

Towards a sustainable future

DTNA aims to achieve carbon neutrality for all new products and services from direct suppliers in Europe, the United States, and Japan by 2039. The Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant, where the Freightliner eCascadia and eM2 are built, achieved CO₂-neutral production by reducing energy consumption and offsetting on-site emissions. DTNA plans to achieve CO₂-neutral production at all remaining truck manufacturing plants by 2025.

Salem Carriers’ use of DTNA’s Freightliner eCascadia trucks for their daily routes in the Carolinas is a step towards a more sustainable future. With DTFS and Electrada providing a comprehensive CaaS solution, the transition to zero-emission vehicles becomes more accessible, helping to build confidence and scale in the logistics industry. This initiative paves the way for cleaner, more sustainable transportation, addressing the challenges of transitioning to ZEVs and supporting DTNA’s sustainability goals.