Roush CleanTech, Proterra, Penske to collaborate on electric Ford trucks

Roush CleanTech (Roush), Proterra, and Penske Truck Leasing are joining on a collaboration under which Proterra will supply its battery technology to Roush for the development of its Ford F-650 all-electric commercial truck.

Roush will integrate its clean technology and control systems to leverage Ford’s medium-duty chassis and Proterra’s battery technology to Penske Truck Leasing, which will be the first customer of the electric vehicle. In addition, the three companies will work on continued fleet electrification, including charging and an ecosystem of solutions that will make the transition to electric more seamless for fleets.

According to Roush, the all-electric Ford F-650 is a purpose-built Class 6 commercial electric vehicle that is available in several configurations including utility trucks, shuttle buses, and box trucks. Built on the Ford’s F-650 chassis, the vehicle will be equipped with Proterra’s H Series battery systems.

According to Proterra, the Proterra H Series battery system powering the F-650 is ideal for packaging between frame rails and can provide 165 kilowatt hours of energy to deliver an estimated 125 miles of vehicle range on a single charge, while supporting an available payload of nearly 8,500 lbs. Roush expects to deliver the next-generation Ford F-650 in Q2 of 2023 to Penske Truck Leasing.

“The goal of the collaboration is to remove any and all barriers to help fleets transition to a cleaner future,” Todd Mouw, president of Roush, said. “It’s clear the market is looking for trusted brands like ours to develop innovative technologies while also supporting the entire lifecycle—from vehicle design and development, to infrastructure assistance, after-sales customer support, and more.”

According to Penske, the leasing company has been operating, supporting, and maintaining alternative-fueled vehicle fleets for more than 30 years, including commercial electric vehicles for a decade. In addition to the F-650, Penske has introduced light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty electric commercial vehicles to its fleet along with its own heavy-duty EV charging networks.

“We remain committed to being at the forefront of vehicle electrification and making impactful sustainability strides within our industry. This collaboration is another step towards a more sustainable future in trucking,” Paul Rosa, SVP of procurement and fleet planning at Penske Truck Leasing, said. “We plan to deploy and operate these vehicles in multiple markets.”

Roush dedicates its efforts to developing battery-electric as well as hydrogen fuel cell technology with support of its parent company, Roush Enterprises, under which has deployed more than 37,000 advanced clean technology vehicles since 2010 that have accumulated more than 2 billion miles with more than 3,000 commercial, school bus, and public transit fleets.

“Fleet operators need strong partners in electrification,” Gareth Joyce, president of Proterra Powered and Energy, said. “That’s why we are excited to bring our proven electric vehicle technology to long-trusted, leading brands like Roush and Penske to help electrify commercial vehicle fleets. We look forward to building our relationship together as we deliver the benefits of clean, quiet Proterra Powered vehicles to even more communities and accelerate the transition to a zero-emission future.”