General Truck Sales is now a Mack certified electric vehicle (EV) dealer at its Toledo, Ohio location.

After completing the stringent requirements, General Truck Sales can now service and support the Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle, Mack’s first Class 8 full electric vehicle.

“Our dealer partner General Truck Sales recognizes the need to invest in electrification and the Mack brand as customers move toward zero-emissions vehicles,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America.

“The investment in this General Truck Sales site will help our customers and their customers meet sustainability goals while also reducing their carbon footprint,” Randall added.

Mack Certified EV Dealer Requirements

Dealers must meet the following requirements to be EV-certified:

• Safety

• Infrastructure

• Tooling

• Charging

• Training

Mack executives work hand-in-hand with dealer executives to ensure requirements are met and the transition to EV support is smooth.

“General Truck Sales recognizes society’s growing interest toward alternate energy sources, such as electrified vehicles,” said Steve Bassett, president of General Truck Sales.

“We chose to become EV-certified to ensure that our dealerships offer Mack customers based in the Midwest all of the support they need. We are pleased to be partnering with Mack in this process. Our customers recognize the importance of decarbonization, and we look forward to helping them achieve their sustainability goals,” Bassett added.

General Truck Sales, located at 5801 Suder Ave., Toledo, has 93,000 square feet and offers 34 service bays, two of which are designated for electric vehicles.

There are 21 technicians, eight master technicians, and two certified to perform service on the Mack LR Electric.

Bassett said he chose to certify General Truck Sales in Toledo, a Mack Certified Uptime Dealer, because the flagship location is close to major highways and is a newer facility. The site is equipped with a 50kWH electric vehicle charger and multiple outlets for optimal flexibilities and options.

“Mack made the EV-certification process smooth,” Bassett said. “General Truck Sales in Toledo built in 2017, was purposely built to accommodate the expansion into the service and support of electric vehicles because we had the foresight to anticipate the move toward electrification. We also support sustainability practices such as recycling batteries, metals, oils, coolants, exhaust filters and paint thinners, and we built this location with the latest energy-saving features.”

Mack LR Electric Offerings

The next generation Mack LR Electric offers 42% more energy and a standard 376kWh total battery capacity for an increased range between charges.

Twin electric motors with 448 continuous horsepower and a 4,051 lb.-ft. of peak torque output from zero RPM power the vehicle.

A copper-colored Bulldog on the cab makes the LR Electric easily identifiable as a Mack truck and denotes the electric drivetrain. Four NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) lithium-ion batteries, charged through a 150 kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system, propel the vehicle and provide power for all onboard accessories through 12V, 24V and 600V circuits.

The two-stage regenerative braking system helps recapture energy from the hundreds of stops the vehicle makes each day with an increasing load.

The Mack LR Electric may be fitted with equipment bodies from numerous manufacturers based on the unique needs of the customer. The same driver/passenger side driving configurations, as well as seating choices and door options, are offered in the LR Electric as on the diesel-powered Mack LR model.

The latest Mack certified EV dealers include:

• Vision Truck Group 

• Surgenor Truck Group

• Pacific Coast