LOS ANGELES — Kenworth Truck Company announced on Feb. 16 that Jack Khudikyan, owner of AJR Trucking and MDB Transportation, has ordered 15 Kenworth T680E and 10 Kenworth K270E battery electric vehicles from Inland Kenworth-Montebello.
It marks the largest Kenworth battery electric vehicle order placed to date.
AJR Trucking is a leading United States Postal Service contract carrier based in Los Angeles, and MDB Transportation provides transportation services including dedicated, port and rail, LTL and full truckload.
According to Khudikyan, this order is a major step forward for both companies to significantly reduce its emissions.
In 2016, AJR Trucking and MDB Transportation began adding compressed natural gas powered Kenworth T680s to reduce carbon emissions. Combined, the two companies operate more than 80 natural gas-powered trucks and continue to phase out its diesel trucks as operations allow.
“Several years ago, we made the decision to begin adding trucks that run on alternative fuels to reduce our carbon footprint and to better assist our customers in meeting their sustainability goals,” Khudikyan said. “It’s important to do what’s right for the environment, and we’re on a mission to one day achieve net zero emissions between the two companies. This order of Kenworth Class 6 and Class 8 battery electric vehicles will assist us in meeting that goal.”
AJR Trucking will use the K270Es to provide regional postal services in the greater Los Angeles area. The T680Es will operate in MDB Transportation’s drayage operations at the Port of Los Angeles. To offset the cost of the Kenworth T680E and K270E battery electric vehicles, the companies qualified and received voucher incentives through the California Air Resources Board Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project .
HVIP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment particularly in disadvantaged communities.
“Jack and his team at AJR Trucking and MDB Transportation are real leaders when it comes to addressing the impacts of climate change,” Charles Peterman, Inland Kenworth vice president of new truck sales, said. “We applaud his commitment to operating in a more sustainable way as his companies will become some of the first to put these new trucks into real-world service.”
“This is a significant milestone for Kenworth, AJR Trucking, and MDB Transportation,” Kevin Baney, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president, said. “We take pride in Jack’s commitment to invest in Kenworth’s battery electric models and be an early adopter of this new technology.”
Designed for pickup and delivery, regional haul and drayage applications, the T680E is available as a day cab as either a tractor or straight truck in a 6×4 axle configuration. The new model is offered in 54,000 pound and 82,000 pound gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR), features 536 hp continuous power and up to 670 hp peak power and 1,623 lb.-ft. of torque, and has a top speed of 70 mph.
The zero emissions vehicle has an estimated operating range of 150 miles, depending on application. The T680E uses the industry standard SAE CCS1 charge port and can be fully charged in approximately three hours. Kenworth’s Class 8 battery electric vehicle features Meritor’s Blue Horizon 14Xe™ tandem electric powertrain with smooth shifting and operation.
The Class 6 K270E and the Class 7 K370E cabovers are designed for pickup and delivery, as well as short regional haul operations. The electric powertrain is available with high-density battery packs of 141kWh, 209kWh and 282kWh that deliver up to 100-, 150- and 200-mile range, respectively, with zero emissions. The Kenworth battery electric vehicles utilize a DC fast-charging system capable of fast re-charge in as quick as one-hour. Regenerative braking in stop-and-go city conditions recharges the batteries and extends brake life.
The K270E and K370E offer two direct-drive motors rated at 355 hp and 469 hp, depending on the application. The design provides enough torque to start the load from a stop on a 20 percent grade and the power to maintain 40 mph on a 6 percent grade while fully loaded.
In addition to the comprehensive Kenworth battery electric vehicle lineup, new EV charging stations are available through PACCAR Parts.
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