The Canadian manufacturer Lion Electric, which was previously known for its electric school buses, is expanding its range of electric utility vehicles with the launch of its first electric truck called Lion8 - a Class 8 vehicle - marking the electric unit’s U.S. debut. This class corresponds is limited trucks over 15 tons.

The Lion8 will be delivered from fall - the first vehicle will be delivered to the Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ).

Video gallery

The Lion8 has a battery capacity of up to 480 kWh for up to 250 miles range on a single charge, using LG Chem NMC cells and offers an 80 percent energy cost reduction according to the company.

The first units are available for preorder with a $5,000 here.

The Lion8's electric motor delivers up to 350 kW and 3,500 N·m of torque. The Lion8 has a maximum speed of 65 mpg (105 km/h). Various wheelbase configurations are available.

The development of the Lion8 electric truck was supported by the Canadian government with 8.6 million Canadian dollars.

Lion Electric is in direct competition with Volvo and Daimler, who are attracting clients with similarly positioned city trucks. But it is also obvious: The electric market is immense and other types of engines are the failures. There is lots of opportunities for an extra player like Lion Electric from Canada.

More and more logistics companies are using electric trucks. The electric models tested in the first pilot projects are mostly designed for use in urban areas since large ranges with a fully electric drive still entail technical challenges… Continue reading

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has partnered with Coca-Cola to bring its electric long-haul truck, the eActros 600, to the streets of Austria as part of the company’s Christmas truck tour. The eActros 600 is the first… Continue reading

Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus (VWCO) started mass production of its first all-electric truck in Brazil on Monday. After a comprehensive test period, VWCO manufactures the e-Delivery distribution truck in the Brazilian city of Resende and is… Continue reading

Ford has unveiled a new concept vehicle that showcases the potential of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck. The Switchgear performance demonstrator is a modified version of the F-150 Lightning that features a… Continue reading