For decades, Kenworth made a name for itself building rugged semis designed to last for years. Of late, however, the company started making strides in the zero-emission department, designing hydrogen fuel cells with Toyota. Near the end of 2020, the venture evolved into developing Class 8 prototypes to test those cells. But on another front, Kenworth's drive towards creating green-powered fleets included developing electric batteries resulting in the automaker building its new T68OE cab, slated for unveiling at the Consumer Electronics Show running Jan. 11-14 in Las Vegas.
Cab Engine Delivers 670 HP
Weighing in at 82,000 lbs, the T68OE boasts an electric-powered engine capable of churning 670 horsepower and 1,623 pound feet of torque. While being able to register a top speed of 65 mph "depending on applications," the model is flexible enough to operate as a tractor or a "straight truck" courtesy of a 6x4 axle configuration, designed to deliver power to more wheels.
The state-of-the-art cab's battery can run for 150 miles before recharging, achievable via a standard SAE XXS1 port and takes up to three hours to achieve full power. Kenworth claims the vehicle's tandem electric powertrain provides smooth acceleration and quiet operation is instrumental in reducing driver fatigue.
Driving To Zero Emissions
“Kenworth is leading the way in zero emissions solutions. The Kenworth T680E builds upon Kenworth’s excellent heritage of providing fleets and truck operators with outstanding and productive trucks driven by quality, innovation and technology,” said Kevin Baney, the automaker's general manager and vice president at PACCAR, the company responsible for design and manufacturing support for Kenworth. “The new Kenworth T680E provides our customers with a true, zero emissions solution that will help to achieve their own green program objectives.”
Those objectives form part of the company's "Driving To Zero Emissions" initiative, which has guided the automaker towards producing the Class 7 K370E and Class 6 K270E vehicles. The plan also includes creating a number of EV charging stations designed to accommodate output power with a range of 20 to 350 kilowatts. EV chargers can be purchased from Kenworth dealers.
EV On Display At CES
Patrons visiting CES can view the T68OE cab on display at the PACCAR Innovations booth exhibit (CP-20). Meanwhile, the company has yet to reveal updates on the progress of its hydrogenfuel cell prototypes.