Norway-based EV systems supplier Hexagon Purus and Japanese vehicle manufacturer Hino Trucks, a Toyota subsidiary, have launched their electric truck brand, Tern, and its first model, the RC8 Class 8 tractor tailored for the US market.
A product of a long-term agreement between the two companies valued at up to $2 billion, the Tern will be manufactured in Hexagon Purus’s new facility in Dallas, Texas and is scheduled for serial production later this year.
The Tern is built on Hino’s US-assembled XL Series 4×2 chassis and uses an e-axle from Dana for efficiency. The battery cells will be supplied and manufactured by Panasonic Energy in Japan until 2026, when production will shift to De Soto, Kansas.
The Tern RC8 includes dual Hexagon Purus Gen3 269 kWh battery packs in a 750 V, 538 kWh configuration, a short 165-inch wheelbase and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 68,000 lbs, targeting applications of approximately 200 miles in regional city duty cycles. It features peak and continuous horsepower of 680 hp and 494 hp, respectively, and peak torque of 38,350 lb-ft. The model is designed for applications like metro-regional routes and food and beverage logistics for which a tight turning radius and 4×2 chassis are preferred.
“Our partnership with Hexagon Purus introduces a highly reliable Class 8, 4×2 tractor option into the electric truck market, catering to a wide range of applications. We are excited to see Tern launched in California, where fleet electrification is imperative,” said Glenn Ellis, President of Hino Trucks.
Source: Hexagon Purus
