CityFreighter and XPO Sales recently agreed to jointly pursue the development and sales of electric trucks for the last mile.
Their strategic partnership includes the signing of a letter of intent to purchase 100 CF1 electric Class 4 trucks. The companies said the prototype of the CF1 will debut in the second quarter of 2019, with delivery of 100 commercial units planned for early 2020.
“We are very excited about this agreement,” said Michael Schoening, president of CityFreighter. “This is a substantial development for our start-up. Electric vehicles should be attractive and built in a user-oriented way.
“I am convinced that the CF1 will set new standards in the industry.”
The CF1 was developed as a fully electric, front-drive vehicle with multiple weight-reducing features, such as a low-weight cargo box. The truck was designed specifically for last-mile operations with a range of approximately 100 miles.
CityFreighter said the trucks will charge overnight at the lot, with fast charging as an option.
The company claims the CF1 differentiates itself from other offerings through its design, with a newly configured, driver-friendly cockpit and unique features like digital mirrors and a keyless truck operating system.
The payload capacity will be 2.5 tons with a minimum of 706 cubic feet, all presented in a low-floor cargo area access design. The low-loading level will be about 18 inches, and the rear axle will be equipped with an electric air suspension, eliminating the need for an electric lift system, reducing loading/unloading times and significantly lessening driver strain.
“We believe that the CF1 will be a game changer in the industry,” said Remo Weber, CEO of XPO Sales. “We are striving to convert all our fleets into full electric. The CF1 will be a key product for our strategy of focusing strongly on the logistics industry.”
