DHL puts 50 Orange EV yard trucks to work, plans to add 50 more
DHL was the first major company to put an all-electric class 8 yard truck into service in 2015. Now, DHL has 50 electric yard trucks from Orange EV in its logistics fleet, with plans to fully phase out diesel trucks by 2025.
Whether you call them terminal trucks, yard dogs, mules, or anything else, these heavy-duty trucks do work that’s ideally suited to electrification. It’s all low-speed, extreme-torque, short distance, high-precision operation, all the time. And the quiet, vibration-free, instant power operation of electric drive is in its element. DHL knows this better than most, which is why the company has electric yard trucks currently deployed at more than 30 DHL Supply Chain sites across the US – all part of DHL’s goal to both phase out diesel trucks by 2025 and reducing logistics-related carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.
“We cannot ignore the impact our operations have on the environment as a logistics company and therefore we are committed to implementing more sustainable approaches to doing business,” explains Stephan Schablinski, VP of “GoGreen” initiatives at DHL Supply Chain. “Through partnerships with companies like Orange EV we have been able to develop innovative solutions that reimagine the industry of logistics and take us closer to a green future.”
It’s worth noting, too, that the those first electric yard trucks DHL put into service back in 2015. Affectionally dubbed “Sparky I” and “Sparky II,” the electric semi trucks have individually clocked more than 24,000 hours and 17,000 hours of operation. What’s more: they’re still on their original battery packs.
“DHL Supply Chain’s first two Orange EV orders are a great example of how we work together to right-size a fleet’s EV projects to economically meet site specifications and rigorous duty cycles,” says Kurt Neutgens, Orange EV co-founder, President, and CTO. “DHL Supply Chain first purchased an Extended Duty truck and charger … and DHL’s well-trained, committed team maximized opportunity charging to keep both trucks running at peak efficiency.”
DHL Supply Chain announced plans to double its current electric yard truck fleet last month – a move that would bring them to 100 all-electric Orange EV class 8 trucks and 0 diesels over the next two years.
Electrek’s Take
There was a line in Orange EV’s press release that’s been playing “on repeat” in my head since I read it. “Diesel yard trucks which are often used just 5 years or 15,000 hours before maintenance and repair costs become prohibitively expensive,” it reads. “In its deployed fleet, Orange EV currently has 35 trucks exceeding 15,000 hours of operation – 14 of which have surpassed 20,000 hours – with many more that will cross those thresholds soon.”
I called Mike Switzer, my co-host on The Heavy Equipment Podcast and a fleet manager who’s tracked thousands of assets in his twenty-plus years in the industry, and asked him if that sounded right.
“Here’s the thing,” he said. “Typically, on-road fleets are tracked in miles. We do oil changes every 5-10,000 miles and try to maintain a 400-500,000 overhaul on the heavy equipment trucks. That’s barring clutch replacements, if needed, stuff that gets messed up. Now, with the automated manuals, a lot of that goes out the window and it all makes it to the rebuild point where we down the truck (hopefully scheduled) between 400 and 500,000 miles, so 15,000 hours you’re right there. Obviously a heavy haul places a bigger toll on the powertrain vs. someone that’s pulling general freight, but some of the general freight guys are going 900,000 or even a million miles on an engine just because of the work load. That’s not to say there’s not a place for electric, there definitely is and I think the yards and ports are a great place for it, but I wouldn’t say that 15,000 hours is any kind of real limit.”
Some quick, back-of-the napkin math tells me that 15,000 hours times an average 30 MPH would put us at 450,000 miles. Right in Mike’s 400-500,000 mile rebuild window, in other words. Admittedly, 30 MPH is high for a terminal truck, but the constant heavy load stop-and-go nature of a yard truck’s day to day more than makes up the difference in my view … and the fact that we’re talking about trucks that are coming up on 9 years of continuous heavy duty operation on the original batteries?
EVs can’t get a much better endorsement than that.
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Environment
Former Tesla, Lucid execs form new EV brand Longbow, whose first two models are sharp and ultra-light
A new niche EV brand, Longbow, has emerged into the public eye, hailing itself as ” the first-ever British electric sports car manufacturer. ” It has unveiled its first two featherweight models, inspired by British automotive icons and designed with real-road performance and the overall driver experience in mind. Despite debuting today, the limited hand-built production of these two featherweight EVs is expected to begin relatively quickly, and they start at a price that doesn’t just cater to the affluent.
You’re not alone if you haven’t heard of Longbow until today. The young brand was founded as recently as 2023 by Daniel Davey, Jenny Keisu, and Mark Tapscott – three industry veterans with a combined resume that cannot be ignored. Davey and Tapscott worked at Tesla during the development of the original Roadster, followed by senior positions at both Lucid Motors and BYD. Keisu brings experience and leadership from the electrified marine segment as she was formerly the CEO of X Shore – an electric boat developer no stranger to the Electrek homepage.
Although Longbow was only founded two years ago, its trio of founders say the EV brand is the realization of many more years of planning and preparation. They have since expanded their team to include an arsenal of engineers with backgrounds in road and motorsport, including former employees at Aston Martin, Formula E, Lotus, and Tesla.
The Longbow team has tasked itself with delivering world-class BEVs that are “spiritual successors” to the icons of British automotive, such as the Lotus Elise and Jaguar E-Type, reimagined for the modern world with bespoke EV platform technology and supreme dynamics. Their take on this legacy is a lineup of sleek vehicles designed, engineered, and built in the UK as Featherweight Electric Vehicles (FEVs).
The young company hit a milestone today, unveiling its first two EV models – the Longbow Speedster and the Roadster; check them out.
Longbow’s first two EVs set to arrive in 2026 under $93k
Per a press release from Longbow, this is the first look at its first two featherweight EVs, which include a Speedster convertible and a Roadster. As FEVs, both models will weigh under 995 kg (2,193 lbs) and achieve the automaker’s motto, “Celeritas Levitas,” or “the speed of lightness.” Per the company:
Development of the Longbow Speedster and Roadster has pursued a singular philosophy: simplify, focus on beauty and engagement, then relentlessly add lightness, until all that remains is sheer automotive intoxication. Antithetical to conventional notions of what a battery electric vehicle (BEV) can be, Speedster and Roadster are striking, light, nimble, balanced, and engineered for an unparalleled driving experience.
The Speedster and Roadster sit atop an aluminum chassis designed for maximum stiffness while offering as little necessary weight as possible. The EV frame is complimented by lighter and more compact motors and batteries (something Lucid Motors is constantly celebrated for). These design elements combine to deliver what Longbow calls “the world’s first ‘proper’ all-electric sportscar for the modern enthusiast.”
The open-topped Speedster weighs 895 kg (1,973 lbs) and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.6 seconds. It has a WLTP range of 275 miles. Longbow shared that the closed cockpit Roadster EV will follow the Speedster, weighing 995 kg while achieving the same 0-100k m/h time. It has a WLTP range of 280 km (174 miles)
As mentioned above, both models will be hand-built in the UK and are expected to hit the market in 2026. The Speedster will start at a price of ₤84,995 ($92,600), including VAT, and only 150 examples will be built. That build schedule will include 10 Luminary First Edition and 25 Autograph Edition models.
The Roadster’s starting price is ₤64,995 ($70,850), including VAT. It will include 50 Luminary 1st Edition models or 100 Autograph Editions. Reservations for both Longbow EVs are available now.
What do we think? Will these FEVs actually get made? Or is this another startup with cool designs that will run out of money before it scales? I hope it’s the former!
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Environment
Tesla Takedown movement fights back against Musk/Trump after push to label them as ‘domestic terrorists’
The Tesla Takedown movement is fighting back against claims made by Elon Musk and Donald Trump while protests are ramping up.
Earlier this week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk falsely accused the movement of Tesla protests to be financed by the Democratic Party’s ActBlue PAC, and President Trump tried to tie the protests with vandalism against Tesla vehicles and stores.
Trump went as far as claiming that “violence against Tesla dealership will be labeled as domestic terrorism.”
The Tesla Takedown movement has issued a statement in response to make it clear that they are against violence and destruction of property:
We are a nonviolent grassroots protest movement. We oppose violence and destruction of property. Peaceful protest on public property is not domestic terrorism. They are trying to intimidate us. We will not let them succeed.
Their intention is to continue peaceful protests and they are in no way associated with the destruction of property – nor is there any evidence that they have been.
Tesla Takedown account on BlueSky added:
“We will not be bullied or allow our rights to be trampled on or stolen. If you’re ready to show Donald Trump and Elon Musk that there are no kings in America, join a Tesla Takedown protest in your community this weekend.”
Several more protests are now being organized for the next few days and into the weekends.
There are currently dozens of protests planned at Tesla stores and charging stations in the US, Canada, and Europe in the coming days.
Electrek’s Take
This is a slippery slope. I certainly condemn the destruction of the property of Tesla owners or vehicles and locations owned by Tesla.
It’s dangerous, and it doesn’t help the Tesla Takedown cause, but it seems to be a stretch to label that “domestic terrorism.”
As far as I can tell, the movement has never called for it. They have only called for peaceful protests, and they shouldn’t be associated with actions taken by extremists.
People have reasons to be mad at Musk and Trump, who are targeting social security, calling government officials “traitors” for supporting Ukraine, and alienating entire nations with senseless trade wars.
If they attack things they care about, is it unfair for them to attack things Elon cares about?
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It’s finally here. Toyota unveiled its newest EV, the C-HR+, a surprisingly stylish electric SUV. The smaller SUV will sit below the bZ4X and offer more range, a sleek new look, and faster charging. With an expected lower price tag, the Toyota C-HR+ could just be the affordable electric SUV we’ve been waiting for.
Toyota unveils the new C-HR+ as an EV
Remember Toyota’s compact C-HR? It’s back and better than ever. Toyota discontinued it in the US in 2022, replacing it with the more efficient Corolla Cross hybrid and first electric SUV, the bZ4X.
Toyota is reviving the name as it revamps its EV lineup. At its annual product strategy event last week, Toyota showcased an array of new EVs that are coming soon, including the new C-HR+.
The electric C-HR already looks like a massive upgrade over the discontinued gas model. Its clean, modern look is similar to Toyota’s other updated vehicles, such as the Corolla, Crown, and Prius. It will be available in both front and all-wheel drive configurations.
With two battery options, 57.7 kWh and 77 kWh, the C-HR+ EV has a WLTP driving range of up to 372 miles (600 km).
Outside of its GR performance models, the AWD version will be Toyota’s most powerful vehicle in Europe. With up to 343 horsepower (252 kW), it can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 5.2 seconds.
The FWD model with the 57.7 kWh battery packs 167 horsepower (123 kW) while the larger 77 kWh battery delivers 224 horsepower (165 kW).
Inside, Toyota claims its new electric SUV is a “class above” with an extended wheelbase providing an open, welcoming feel. The C-HR+ features a standard 14″ infotainment with dedicated EV routing.
Toyota loaded it with its latest connectivity and safety tech, including Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance systems.
Safety features like a Blind Spot Monitor, Adaptive High-Beam headlights, and a Parking Support Brake are now standard. Higher trims gain Park Assist and a Panoramic View Monitor.
Although official specs will be revealed closer to launch, Toyota said the electric SUV can achieve DC fast charging speeds of up to 150 kW. The company finally added a battery preconditioning feature for better performance.
At 4,520 mm (178″) long, the C-HR+ EV version is slightly longer than the previous gas model. It’s also a bit shorter than the Toyota RAV4.
Toyota will launch the electric SUV later this year in select European markets, with a full rollout in Europe scheduled for 2026. For those in the US, we’ll have to wait for the official word, but if it does arrive, which would likely be in 2026, the C-HR+ would sit below the bZ4X.
With the 2025 bZ4X starting at $37,070, we could see Toyota’s smaller electric SUV start in the $30,000 range. At that, it could be a true competitor in the US.
How do you feel about Toyota’s new electric SUV? Would you buy one in the US for around $30,000 to $35,000?
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