Kenworth T680 Next Gen vs Peterbilt 579EV: Future of Class 8

81Very Good

Kenworth T680E

Average Score

82Very Good

Peterbilt 579EV

Average Score

Winner: Kenworth T680E

Category Breakdown

Range

Peterbilt 579EV wins

Kenworth T680E82

Peterbilt 579EV84

Both PACCAR electric trucks offer roughly 150-200 miles of range depending on payload and conditions. The 579EV squeezes slightly more range from its battery pack in real-world testing, but both are limited to regional and drayage applications.

Charging Speed

Tie

Kenworth T680E80

Peterbilt 579EV80

Both support CCS DC fast charging and can reach 80% charge in approximately 90 minutes at 350kW stations. Charging infrastructure remains the primary bottleneck for both trucks.

Cab Comfort

Peterbilt 579EV wins

Kenworth T680E82

Peterbilt 579EV85

Both trucks are significantly quieter than their diesel counterparts. The 579EV's cab insulation and NVH engineering are slightly more refined. Electric drivetrain eliminates vibration and dramatically improves the driving experience.

Fleet Support

Kenworth T680E wins

Kenworth T680E85

Peterbilt 579EV82

Kenworth has been slightly more aggressive in fleet pilot programs and charging infrastructure partnerships. Their dealer network support for EVs is marginally ahead of Peterbilt's, though both are expanding rapidly.

Total Cost of Ownership

Tie

Kenworth T680E78

Peterbilt 579EV78

TCO is comparable between the two siblings. Both benefit from lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, longer brake life) but carry significant upfront premiums over diesel equivalents. Government incentives can offset 30-50% of the price premium.

Score Summary

Category	Kenworth T680E	Peterbilt 579EV	Leader
Range	82	84	Peterbilt 579EV
Charging Speed	80	80	Tie
Cab Comfort	82	85	Peterbilt 579EV
Fleet Support	85	82	Kenworth T680E
Total Cost of Ownership	78	78	Tie
Overall Average	81	82	Peterbilt 579EV

Our Verdict

The Kenworth T680E wins by a narrow margin on fleet support and dealer readiness for electric truck service. Both are PACCAR products with shared electric drivetrain technology, so the differences are subtle.

The Peterbilt 579EV wins on range and cab refinement. For operators who prioritize every extra mile of range and want the most polished driving experience, the 579EV has slight advantages.

Both trucks are best suited for port drayage, regional distribution, and return-to-base operations where daily mileage is under 150 miles and depot charging is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not yet. Current battery technology limits Class 8 electric trucks to 150-200 miles of range, making them suitable only for regional and drayage applications. OTR viability will require battery density improvements and a nationwide charging network, likely 5-10 years away.

Class 8 electric trucks currently cost $300,000-$450,000, roughly 2-3 times their diesel equivalents. Federal and state incentives can reduce this by $50,000-$150,000 depending on location. TCO parity with diesel is achievable over 5-7 years in high-utilization applications.

Yes, Kenworth and Peterbilt share PACCAR's electric drivetrain platform, battery packs, and charging technology. The primary differences are cab design, branding, and dealer network — similar to their diesel truck relationship.

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