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The brave new world of electric Class 8 trucks dawned in North America with the delivery of two battery-­electric Freightliner ­eCascadia tractors to customers this past August. Penske Truck Leasing and NFI are placing the vehicles into revenue service. With electric-powered trucks, however, comes a fundamental shift in how tomorrow’s freight-hauling equipment will be specified.

Rio Tinto Group is starting pilot production of lithium in California and will consider an expansion to become the top domestic supplier in the U.S. as the world’s biggest miners look to boost their exposure to the electric car battery revolution.

BYD Motors Inc. announced three of its 8Y battery-electric yard trucks will be deployed by PepsiCo Inc.’s Modesto Frito-Lay facility as part of a state project designed to showcase economically and environmentally sustainable warehousing and distribution technology.

Beverage company Anheuser-Busch announced it will deploy 21 Class 8 battery-electric trucks in its California fleet as part of a state project to showcase economically and environmentally sustainable warehousing and distribution technology.

Daimler Trucks announced an agreement with battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. to supply lithium-ion battery cell modules for its electric trucks, including the Mercedes-Benz eActros, Freightliner eCascadia and Freightliner eM2.

Startup truck manufacturer Nikola Corp. has secured a commitment of $250 million in funding from CNH Industrial N.V. — a leader in natural gas-powered trucks and buses and the parent company of Iveco trucks — in a move designed to accelerate the use of heavy-duty trucks that use battery-electric and fuel cell technologies in North America and Europe.

Best Transportation announced it used a Class 8 battery-electric vehicle to deliver a container from Port Newark to a Costco wholesale location within New Jersey without incident, calling it a first at the port and part of the carrier’s ongoing evaluation of electric trucks.

Battery-electric medium-duty trucks may have a bright future due to their potential to reduce operational costs and improve sustainability. But currently, the availability of these trucks is limited as testing continues.

WASHINGTON — Federal policymakers crafting comprehensive transportation legislation should consider enhancing investments in low-emissions technologies across the freight sector, an executive with Cummins Inc. told a congressional panel July 16.