This is a big first. Swedish company Einride’s T-Pod self-driving electric truck has been cleared by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for use on public roads in the United States. Not having a cabin to accommodate a driver, the vehicle will be supervised remotely by an operator.
Unveiled in 2016, the T-Pod is the first electric truck 100% autonomous. The 26 ton vehicle looks like a container with dimensions of 7 meters long and 2.50 meters wide. Mounted on 6 wheels, it can reach a maximum speed of 85 kilometers per hour for a range of 200 kilometers per refill.
The vehicle has already been tested on Swedish roads in 2020. However, tests on US public roads will still be carried out during the third quarter of 2022.” It’s a type of vehicle that has never been seen before on American roads, and marks a milestone as a turning point for the future of the freight industry. said Robert Falck, CEO and Founder of Einride.
For this project, Einride partnered with General Electric Appliances. Bill Good, vice president of supply chain at the major appliance firm, says the partnership will create a more sustainable and efficient supply chain through increased electrification and automation of their manufacturing operations. and distribution.
