CAA-Quebec says the new electric tow truck sets a zero-emission example for the towing industry and promises to share feedback with its peers on the vehicle’s year-round performance

A new class of vehicles is officially electric in North America: tow trucks.

The Canadian Automobile Association’s Quebec branch (CAA-Quebec) is using a fully electric tow truck built by Quebec-based manufacturer Lion Electric.

The electric tow truck, according to CAA-Quebec, is the first to deploy in North America.

“Roadside assistance has always been part of CAA-Quebec’s DNA, and naturally, we’re taking the lead in electric towing,” said Marie-Soleil Tremblay, president and CEO of CAA-Quebec, in a news release.

The move comes 80 years after the company says it introduced its first horse-drawn towing services. Adopting an electric tow truck is a milestone for CAA-Quebec in its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.

“We have a responsibility to lead by example and play a key role in environmental protection,” added Tremblay.

The electric tow truck will help CAA-Quebec lower its energy costs and reduce maintenance costs compared to a combustion vehicle.

Truck’s capabilities

CAA-Quebec took delivery of the electric tow truck was in July. It was built on the Lion5 medium-duty truck chassis and equipped with a flatbed body designed by XpaK Industries, a Quebec engineering and 3D-design services provider for electric transportation.

“With this new 100-per-cent-electric, made-in-Quebec tow truck, we are helping to redefine the future of the towing industry,” says Patrick Gervais, vice president of trucks and public affairs at Lion Electric.

“We are proud to contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future alongside partners like CAA-Quebec and XpaK.”

The truck is powered by 800-volt battery packs manufactured by Lion Electric. It delivers a range of up to 310 km and 315 horsepower.

As the vehicle is electric, there is no risk of hydraulic fluid leaks, says the manufacturer.

In addition, Lion Electric used materials that helped reduce the weight of the towing platform by 25-30 per cent compared to conventional platforms designed for combustion-engine vehicles.

Towing in all seasons

CAA-Quebec will put the truck through its paces in a variety of towing situations and weather conditions in the coming months.

The company will share its first-time experiences and insights with partners across Canada and the AAA network in the U.S.

The electric tow truck joins CAA-Quebec’s growing fleet of electric vehicles, which includes the Ford F-150 Lightning. CAA-Quebec also owns hybrid models such as the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq and 2020 Ford F-150 hybrid.