2026 Vehicle Guide: Alt-fuel heavy-duty

Freightliner eCascadia

The battery-electric version of the Freightliner Cascadia has been in production since 2022. Designed for regional distribution and drayage, the eCascadia has a range of 155 to as much as 230 miles, depending on the choice of battery pack. Both battery options feature lithium nickel manganese cobalt batteries inside CATL prismatic cells. The lower-range 291 kWh battery pack can charge from 0 to 80% capacity in roughly 90 minutes with a 400-amp charger. The higher-range 438 kWh pack can charge in the same timeframe with a 600-amp charger.

Driving the eCascadia are the Detroit ePowertrain’s eAxles, which place the electric motors and transmissions in a compact package adjacent to the drive axles. The truck’s 4x2 configuration produces 320 to 395 hp and up to 11,500 lb.-ft. of torque, while the 6x4 configuration produces 425 to 470 hp and up to 23,000 lb.-ft. of torque.

Lightweight: The all-electric truck’s lightest basic build weighs 16,350 lb., while its heaviest is 21,800 lb. The maximum gross combined weight is 65,000 to 82,000 lb.

Hyundai Xcient FCEV

Hyundai Motor unveiled a new model of its Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck at ACT Expo 2025 that includes additional safety features and a redesigned interior.

The Xcient’s interior received an upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with physical buttons, and a low-power utility mode for hotel loads.

The hydrogen-powered 6x4 cabover’s powertrain uses two 90 kW fuel cell systems to power a drive motor with a maximum output of 469 hp and 1,650 lb.-ft.  of torque. The truck also uses a 72 kWh battery system. It can achieve a maximum range of 450 miles, fully loaded under ideal conditions.

Safer haul: The new model received a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane departure warnings, smart cruise control, and blind-spot collision warnings.

International eRH Series

International Motors designed an all-electric version of its heavy-duty RH diesel tractors: the eRH Series. A battery-electric regional haul tractor available in 4x2 and 6x4 configurations, International plans to begin series production of its eRH in the first half of 2026.

The truck’s lithium nickel manganese cobalt battery options have energy capacity ranging from 300 to 500 kWh and a range of up to 300 miles. It uses the Bendix Fusion driver assistance system, which combines enhanced automated braking and unsafe driving alerts.

Dana power: To get moving, the truck uses a central Dana TM4 Sumo HP HV2500 6P motor system that produces up to 670 hp and 1,807 lb.-ft. of torque.

Kenworth T680E

Kenworth Trucks updated its T680 battery-electric truck to support higher torque, faster charging, and longer range.

The T680E’s exterior has been redesigned with new aerodynamic refinements. Like the T880E, it uses the new Paccar ePowertrain to deliver up to 605 peak hp and 1,850 lb.-ft. of peak torque. The largest battery configuration option has a 500 kWh capacity and can deliver up to 200 miles of range. Supporting CCS1DC fast charging at a 350 kW peak charge rate, the T680 can charge up to 90% in about two hours.

The next-generation T680E is designed for short-haul, regional-haul, LTL, and drayage operations. It is available as a day cab, either as a tractor or straight truck in a 6x4 configuration.

BEV inside the cab: The updated T680E’s digital interface provides specific insights into range, regenerative braking, and performance. It also features a 15-inch DriverConnect touchscreen display.

Kenworth T880E

Kenworth Trucks introduced its new Class 8 vocational battery-electric truck in April this year. The zero-emission heavy work truck uses the Paccar ePowertrain: a 847-lb. electric motor with a 3-speed gearbox that can produce up to 1,850 lb.-ft. of peak torque.

The new truck has three battery configuration options: a two-string set of battery packs for 250 kWh capacity, up to 100 miles of range, and up to 470 peak hp; a three-string set for 375 kWh capacity, up to 150 miles range, and up to 540 peak hp; and a four-string set for 500 kWh capacity, up to 200 miles range, and up to 605 peak hp.

ePTO: The T880E has an option for low-voltage and high-voltage electric power takeoff ports to power auxiliary equipment.

Mack LR Electric

With the LR Electric, Mack Trucks offers a Class 8 battery-electric truck that is built specifically for refuse applications. First unveiled in 2019, the LR Electric uses Mack’s integrated electric powertrain to produce up to 536 peak hp and 4,051 lb.-ft. of peak torque.

The LR Electric uses four lithium nickel manganese cobalt batteries with fast charge capability. With two-stage regenerative braking, the truck can reach an operating range of up to 100 miles. Supporting up to 150 kW charge power, the BEV can fully charge in about 120 minutes.

Safer routes: Like the diesel LR, the BEV refuse truck has large window coverage for high visibility, large handles and oversized doors for easier accessibility, and collision warning tech to prevent accidents.

Peterbilt 567EV

Peterbilt Motors’ new BEV variant of the 567 vocational truck is now available to bring zero emissions and instant torque to worksites. The truck’s Paccar ePowertrain provides up to 1,850 lb.-ft. of peak torque and, depending on battery configuration, up to 605 peak hp.

The 567EV can have a GCWR of up to 82,000 lb.—a lower rating than the diesel 567’s max GVWR of 100,000 lb. Battery configurations from 250 to 625 kWh can give a maximum range of 250 miles. The battery packs can reach 80% charge in roughly 100 minutes with 350 kW DC power.

High-tech cab: Inside the 568EV are a 13-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen and 15-inch driver display with EV efficiency insights.

Peterbilt 579EV

Peterbilt Motors upgraded its regional-haul Class 8 BEV with the new Paccar ePowertrain and safety enhancements. The 579EV’s midship-mounted motors and integrated transmission can provide up to 1,850 lb.-ft. of peak torque. Depending on the choice of three lithium iron phosphate battery configurations, the truck can provide as much as 605 peak hp.

The truck has a GVWR of 82,000 lb. and a maximum range of 200 miles. With up to 350 kW DC charging, the vehicle can reach 80% charge in roughly 90 minutes. The truck has ePTO options ranging from 25 to 150 kW.

Safety enhancements: The upgraded 579EV includes a new electronic parking brake and standard Bendix Fusion Stop and Auto-Go with pedestrian detection and high beam assist.

Tern RC8

Available in California, Tern’s RC8 is a collaboration between Hexagon Purus and Hino Trucks for electric regional trucking. RC8’s maximum GCVW is 68,000 lb., and the tractor itself weighs 18,000 lb. Its short wheelbase is 165 inches.

The truck uses dual Hexagon Purus Gen3 269 kWh battery packs. It can reach 80% charge at 240 kW and has a range of up to 200 miles fully loaded. Tern claims the electric powertrain can provide 38,350 lb.-ft. of peak torque and 680 peak hp.

Collaborative effort: The RC8 is built on Hino’s XL Series 4x2 chassis, driven with Dana’s Zero-8 e-Axle, and powered by Panasonic Energy battery cells assembled into Hexagon Purus battery packs.

Tesla Semi

Though serial production has been postponed for years, Tesla has delivered a handful of its Class 8 battery-electric Semis since late 2022—and plans for mass production in 2026.

Tesla makes bold claims for its Semi: Even when fully loaded, its three independent motors can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only 20 seconds and can charge up to 70% of range in 30 minutes. Fleets have confirmed that the Semi can travel 500 miles on a single charge with a full load. Its efficient powertrain can consume less than 1.8 kWh per mile.

Cockpit cab: Like other futuristic trucks of late, the Semi has a central seating position for better visibility. Promotional images feature digital displays on both sides of the steering wheel.

Windrose

Chinese electric truck startup Windrose Technology is opening for business in the U.S. The company expects volume production and deliveries of its battery-electric truck across the country in 2026. The electric Class 8 Windrose truck has two power options: a long-range configuration using 705 kWh from lithium iron phosphate batteries, boasting a range up to 420 miles; and a regional-haul configuration using 486 kWh from nickel cobalt manganese lithium battery with a range up to 295 miles.

Despite their capacity difference, both battery packs charge from 20 to 80% in roughly 35-40 minutes. The long-haul configuration weighs 26,235 lb., while the regional configuration weighs 21,605 lb. Either build of the Windrose truck comes in a 6x4 axle configuration with a GCW of 82,000 lb. It features a futuristic central-seat cab with digital displays on either side of the steering wheel.

Hold your horses: The Windrose BEV trucks use a set of 800V motors to produce a whopping 1,046 peak hp.

ZM Trucks

ZM Trucks is a new entrant into the North American market, but its parent company, Japan-based ZO Motors, has a 23-year history. The company produces all-electric commercial vehicles and recently opened a manufacturing plant in California. Its vehicles are available for order now. Its product portfolio consists of multiple medium-duty vehicles and two heavy-duty vehicles: a smaller Class 8, the ZM37, and one Class 8 yard tractor, the ZM T75. The ZM37 BEV has a GCWR of 82,000 lb. and can accommodate a payload up to 60,000 lb. It offers a range of 240 miles, 489 hp, and 480 lb.-ft. of torque. The ZM T75 yard tractor features a GCWR of 165,350 lb. It has a range of 75 miles.

Quick charge: Using DC fast charging, the ZM T75 can charge from 20 to 80% in just 70 minutes. The ZM37 charges from 20 to 80% in 108 minutes.