Pennsylvania Lawmakers Explore Latest EVs During Ride-and-Drive At State Capitol Event, Including Mack Trucks

Dozens of Pennsylvania policymakers and state staff explored the latest models of electric vehicles September 28 at the state capitol at a ride-and-drive hosted by the Electrification Coalition and several leading vehicle manufacturers. 

The event featured one heavy-duty vehicle and 10 different light-duty models available to consumers and fleets.

Featured electric vehicles included the Mack LR Electric refuse truck, Audi e-tron, Kia Niro, Rivan R1T pickup, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Nissan Leaf, Lordstown Endurance pickup, Tesla Model 3, Hyundai KONA Electric, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo XC40.

“Our transportation system’s overwhelming dependence on oil carries serious risks for our national security and economic prosperity,” said General James Conway, 34th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps and a resident of Mifflintown. “Electric vehicles are our best solution, and state leaders play a crucial role in effecting this transition. As manufacturers showed Tuesday at the capitol, the vehicles have arrived – we now need policymakers to take action.”

Attendees had the opportunity to drive the light-duty vehicles with a copilot and to ride along with a CDL driver in the heavy-duty Mack LR Electric refuse truck. 

Representatives from the vehicle manufacturers were on hand to discuss EV technology, manufacturing, model availability, vehicle performance, and vehicle applications.

The Mack LR Electric refuse truck will be produced at Mack’s Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO) facility in Macungie, Penn., along with other heavy-duty Mack trucks. 

The LR Electric is equipped with Mack’s fully integrated electric powertrain with twin electric motors and four NMC (nickel manganese cobalt oxide) lithium-ion batteries. Its special three-mode regenerative braking system helps charge the batteries as the vehicle stops and starts hundreds of times per day.

“The Mack LR Electric refuse truck, our new Class 8 zero-emission vehicle, will help Mack Trucks and the Volvo Group achieve our commitment to reach 100 percent fossil-free sales by 2040,” said Jonathan Miller, Volvo Group North America senior vice president of public affairs. “Events like these are a hands-on opportunity to educate others about battery-electric vehicles and their benefits. We must continue to work with all stakeholders, including policymakers, to ensure investments in infrastructure and purchase incentives drive the adoption of heavy-duty battery-electric vehicles for the betterment of our society.”

“It’s really exciting to see all these vehicles up close and in person,” said Electrification Coalition Policy Manager Alissa Burger. “Manufacturers are producing a growing variety of electric models for a wide range of applications, from work trucks to school buses and sports cars to pickups. We look forward to continued discussions with policymakers to accelerate the pace at which these vehicles are hitting the road.”

For more information on vehicle electrification, visit the Electrification Coalition website and DEP’s Electric Vehicles In PA webpage.

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[Posted: September 29, 2021]  PA Environment Digest