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Independent heavy-vehicle dossier

Peterbilt Model 520EV

400 kWh and about 161 km a day including 1,100 bin cycles — the 520EV measures work, not distance.

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161 km

Range

manufacturer claim

29.9 t

Combination weight

400 kW

Continuous power

6x4

Axle configuration

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Peterbilt Model 520EV

Buying decision

The EvCompass verdict

The key arguments drawn from the published data and the EvCompass editorial summary.

It is the best-described duty cycle in this whole database: Peterbilt quotes not only kilometres but the number of bins emptied, which is what a city actually pays for. The HVIP voucher is 120,000 dollars in Class 8. The model is still current, unlike the 220EV.

Strengths

The duty cycle is quoted in bins emptied, not only in kilometres.

Weaknesses

Peterbilt quotes a minimum 3-hour charge but publishes no peak DC power, so the time lacks full context.

The full picture

Specifications

Manufacturer-published facts grouped by the decisions they inform, without raw source headings.

Battery and charging

Gross battery: 400 kWh
On charging: Minimum charge time 3 hours on recommended DC fast charging (manufacturer). Peterbilt does not publish a peak kW figure for the 520EV.

Powertrain

Powertrain: Battery electric
Continuous power: 400 kW
Peak power: 500 kW
Axle configuration: 6x4

Mass and load

Combination weight: 29,937 kg
Gross vehicle weight: 29,937 kg

Market and year

Markets: US, CA
Production status: In production
Vehicle class: Class 8
Measurement basis: manufacturer, estimated daily range about 100 miles (161 km) including 1,100 residential bin cycles with an automated side loader, or 130 compactor cycles with a rear loader. Peterbilt's product page gives a wider 80-120 mile (129-193 km) band.

These are manufacturer-published figures gathered through EvCompass research.

Price and availability

What it costs and whether it is available in Poland

Published price evidence and the Polish availability answer, kept together for a buying decision.

The manufacturer publishes no price for this vehicle.

In heavy transport that is the rule rather than the exception — makers quote on request.

No published MSRP. California HVIP lists the 520EV as a Class 8 refuse/straight truck with a $120,000 base voucher but publishes no base price.

Source: California HVIP vehicle catalogue

Poland

Not available in Poland

n/a - North American model, not sold in the EU.

Charging infrastructure

Recommended chargers

Chargers matched to the vehicle's published power or to a clearly stated duty profile when that figure is missing.

This vehicle does not publish its own DC charging power. The chargers below are matched to a charging profile typical for this class of vehicle (around 350 kW), not to a figure this vehicle publishes.

Arinea

Arinea Ultron XH Ultra-Fast Charging Station — DC 300–480 kW

Power: 300–480 kW
Price: from PLN 221,079–305,380

View on wallbox.pl

Arinea

Ultron X 360 CC-H-22K Charging Station

Power: 360 kW
Price: PLN 307,500

View on wallbox.pl

Arinea

Arinea Ultron XH DC fast charging station — 160–240 kW

Power: 160–240 kW
Price: from PLN 189,511–217,254

View on wallbox.pl

Browse all chargers

Sources and research

Research notes

The sources and research notes behind the figures, claims and editorial assessment.

Peterbilt's refuse BEV, still current: California HVIP carries a MY26 executive order and Peterbilt's product page is live. NUMBER CONFLICT: the MY26 HVIP spec sheet states 400 kWh energy storage while the HVIP catalogue page tags the vehicle as 396 kWh - both are PACCAR/Meritor figures for the same truck; 400 kWh (the spec sheet) recorded. Unlike the newer PACCAR ePowertrain models, the 520EV is the older architecture: a mid-ship motor drive subsystem derived from TransPower/Meritor with Meritor 14Xe tandem e-axles, LFP packs, 536 hp (400 kW) continuous and 670 hp (500 kW) peak. Torque is not published. GVWR 66,000 lb converted to 29,937 kg (recorded in both gcwKg and gvwKg since it is a straight truck). Front axle 20,000-23,000 lb, rear 46,000 lb. Available in all four 520 driving configurations including right-hand stand-up. First shown at CES in January 2020; I could not confirm the first customer-delivery year, so modelYearFrom is null. Peterbilt has not published a peak DC charge rate for this model - only 'minimum charge time 3 hours'.

Data confidence

MEDIUM