Pitts State University just got a MASSIVE gift: an electric semi truck
Pittsburg State University’s Crossland College of Technology received a massive gift this month, in the form of an 82,000 lb. GVWR Peterbilt Model 579EV Class 8 electric semi truck donated to the program by TLG.
The Larson Group (TLG) is a local Pittsburg heavy truck dealer specializing in Peterbilt trucks and PACCAR service, and their donation of the new Peterbilt Model 579EV to the college is meant to support the Department of Automotive and Engineering Technology’s growing Diesel and Heavy Equipment program – and having access to the latest, modern trucking technology is critical to the students’ development as both engineers and technicians.
“We’re excited to support students, invest in their future, and strengthen our partnership with Pitt State,” said Melissa Larson, TLG’s Chief Operating Officer and Pitt State alumna. “The skills they’ll gain with this industry-leading equipment are exactly what employers like TLG are seeking.”
The Pitt State program is one of many recently-launched curriculums in the US designed to address a severe shortage of heavy-duty vehicle technicians and operators – at least for as long as it takes the self-driving AI companies to get their stuff to work properly on the open road.
The truck itself
The donated Peterbilt 579EV offers an 82,000 lb. GVWR, and is primarily used in the industry in short-haul and drayage operations, where its high-torque, 445 kW (605 hp) electric motor and 90-100 mile loaded range on its standard battery pack (which can be optioned up to 500 kWh for 200 miles of range) can shine in all-day operations.
The big electric Pete also features an advanced, 13″ SmartDisplay touchscreen in the cab that the company says helps reduce driver distraction and increase productivity. Bendix Fusion Stop & Auto Go with pedestrian detection ADAS and high beam assist to prevent the truck’s high-powered LED headlights frmo blinding everyone on the planet round out the standard features list.
You can check out the next-generation Peterbilt Model 579EV (and the 567EV vocational truck) in the company’s launch video, below, then let us know what you think of Pitt State’s present in the comments.
Peterbilt next-generation Model 579EV
SOURCE | IMAGES: TLG, via EVInfo.
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