Emissions-free terminal tractor

Autocar has introduced an emissions-free, all-electric version of its Autocar ACTT terminal tractor, the E-ACTT. The E-ACTT will be available in Canada in 2022.

The purpose-built E-ACTT terminal tractor helps meet U.S. regulatory mandates for the vocational truck industry to reduce fuel consumption by 24 percent by model year 2027 and, in California, to transition diesel trucks to zero-emission trucks.

“The E-ACTT is the same reliable, heavy duty Autocar ACTT but is all electric,” said Mark Aubry, general manager, Terminal Tractor division for Autocar Truck.

“Autocar Truck has been a key innovator in the EV truck market dating back to 1923 when we designed our first two EV trucks, Autocar Truck E1 and E2.”

“The E-ACTT is the only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) terminal tractor, with an OEM developed electric vehicle system, all Autocar,” said Andrew Taitz, chairman of Autocar Truck.

The Autocar E-ACTT electric powertrain with telemetry/diagnostic systems were designed specifically for severe-duty application by Vorza. Vorza’s electric fleet vehicle development team worked directly with Autocar Truck to create a powertrain capable of handling the demands of semi-trailer yard spotting and container handling.

Autocar’s temperature-controlled lithium-ion battery technology and onboard charging system in the E-ACTT terminal tractor are designed to operate within the same parameters as their current diesel counterparts. With the Autocar E-ACTT, operators now have a quieter and lower vibration zero-emissions option.

With advanced monitoring systems and innovative telematics in every unit, the E-ACTT terminal tractor provides both predictive and preventive maintenance.

Designed specifically for spotting trailers and containers at distribution centres, warehouse/trucking yards, industrial operations, intermodal/rail terminals, and port terminals, Autocar’s E-ACTT terminal tractors include: 

• Custom-built for the customer’s vocational and site-specific needs
• The tallest, widest, deepest cab and door combination in the industry
• Cab noise and temperature insulation and matting
• A hydraulics system with fast up/down speeds
• Easy ingress/egress
• Tractor-trailer auto-lock system
• Four-point premium cab air suspension
• Autocar Solutions, factory-direct service
• Choice of warranty service either in-house or by a third-party

“From our customer sight testing experiences, we expect the Autocar E-ACTT to have lower overall maintenance costs than its diesel counterpart,” explained Eric Schwartz, president of Autocar’s Terminal Tractor business in Hagerstown, Ind.

“Our EV technology eliminates the need for a lot of necessary preventive maintenance, such as oil changes, transmission service, fan belts, air filters, and other traditional fuel-based engine services. Plus, it eliminates the need and cost to completely replace the diesel engine at approximately 25,000 working hours. Fewer moving parts in a robust EV design means increased savings for owners and longer terminal tractor service lifecycles.”