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At more than double the price, The Fast Lane Truck sees if the EMV truck is better than the tried and true Cummins diesel MV.
Comparisons between traditional pickup trucks and EV models like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T are reaching a saturation point. Sort of a "been there, done that" among automotive reviewers. So, what's next? Well, The Fast Lane Truck YouTube channel answers that question by comparing two International Truck vehicles: one powered by a trusty Cummins Diesel and the other by a cutting-edge all-electric setup. These Class 5-7 vehicles do what one-ton pickups only dream about but still fall short of a semi's capability.
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Presenter Andre Smirnov begins the comparison with a truck from International's conventional MV line. "It's like the biggest truck you ever wanted," he remarks about the jumbo service-body vehicle.
International equips these trucks with one of two six-cylinder Cummins Diesel engines: the B6.7 offers as much as 325 horsepower and 750 lb-ft of torque, or the L9 that cranks out up to 360 ponies and a stump-pulling 1,150 lb-ft of torque (a B6.7 powers the test truck).
Smirnov puts the MV through its paces and reminds us of the reality of such vehicles. A 0-60 time of 19.78 seconds reinforces that medium-duty trucks aren't built for speed. Nor is fuel economy a priority, as six to seven miles per gallon with a heavy load is typical. Another consideration is fill-up costs, with the optional 70-gallon tank needing about $400 at today's prices.
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At first glance, the all-electric EMV truck looks like everything else from Volkswagen-owned International. The company wants it this way with only a few exterior clues hinting at a different powerplant.
This 33,000-pound Class 7 truck uses a 210-kWh battery and a rear electric motor for motivation. In peak form, the truck offers 1,700 ft-lbs of torque or 738 ft-lbs of continuous torque. But the truck's 135-mile range is arguably one of the EMV's most significant handicaps. Three levels of regenerative braking can add as much as 25 miles of usability before recharge time.
Recharging a completely empty battery (a 210 kWh lithium-ion arrangement) can take about 90 minutes via a DC fast charger operating at 125 KW/hour. AC charging takes 10-12 hours, according to the video.
Interestingly, International has programmed the near-silent EMV to drive like a Diesel truck with acceleration almost identical to a Cummins-equipped model. According to the company, this helps ease the transition to an all-electric version. And, no doubt, this helps with range.
Choosing between a Cummins-powered medium-duty truck and one with an all-electric drivetrain comes down to price and use. A conventional MV cab and chassis runs from $70,000 to $95,000, while the EMV costs about $250,000.
On the other hand, refueling (or recharging) expenses for the EMV are a fraction of its Diesel stablemate. Plus, the all-electric model has substantially lower maintenance costs over the long term. Range limitations and charging times are also a make or break factor with the EMV.
Source: YouTube/TFL Truck, International
Dave Goldberg is a lifelong auto enthusiast and holds a BA in Journalism from The George Washington University. While he leans towards European wheels for his personal driving, Dave gets excited about everything from Acura to Zagato.