Mack Trucks launches program for battery electric vehicles

Mack Trucks, a truck manufacturer based in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Mack Financial Services recently launched a Vehicle-as-a-Service (VaaS) program to help simplify the purchase process and assist customers to manage expenses associated with acquiring the Mack LR Electric battery electric vehicle (BEV).

VaaS includes the vehicle chassis, the refuse body, applicable taxes and a vehicle protection plan, the Mack Ultra Service Agreement, for the Mack LR Electric refuse model, the manufacturer’s first fully electric Class 8 vehicle.

Mack says qualified customers also have the option to bundle a charger and associated installation costs into a single invoice. VaaS is offered as a five-year lease with single monthly payments and the option to renew.

“The Mack Vehicle-as-a-Service program is designed to address any customer hesitations in adopting electromobility by offering zero upfront costs,” says George Fotopoulos, Mack vice president of the e-mobility business unit. “Mack took this approach because we believe in BEV technology, we stand behind our electric products, and we want to accelerate industry adoption of this technology.”

The Mack LR Electric features twin electric motors that offer 448 continuous horsepower and 4,051 pounds per foot of peak output torque from zero revolutions per minute. The vehicle is offered with a two-speed Mack Powershift transmission, Mack mRIDE suspension and Mack’s proprietary S462R 46,000-pound rear axles.

Four nickel manganese cobalt oxide lithium-ion batteries, charged through a 150kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system, provide power to the vehicle. 

The LR Electric model may be fitted with equipment bodies from several manufacturers, allowing the truck to be tailored to each customer’s needs. Customers can choose from the same driver/passenger side driving configurations, seating choices and door options as those offered on the diesel-powered LR model.