GlobeNewswire Inc | Dec 21, 2021 10:58AM EST

December 21, 2021

JOHNS CREEK, Ga., Dec. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saia Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA) is pleased to announce that Saia LTL Freight has partnered with Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) to test a battery electric Freightliner eM2 box truck in its Portland, Oregon pickup and delivery operations to see how the vehicle performs as part of a working, real-world fleet functioning in a commercial environment. Saia sits on DTNAs Electric Vehicle Customer Council and is evaluating how electric vehicles can support the companys sustainability goals.

The truck is part of Daimlers Freightliner battery electric Customer Experience Fleet, explained Saia Vice President of Maintenance and Properties Cris Burgum. Like other carriers evaluating the truck and participating in the council, we have gained enormous insight into how we can integrate electric vehicles into our fleet. Our Portland terminal manager, Shane Newman, said that drivers at our facility there have enjoyed driving the truck and look forward to welcoming additional electric units to their operations.

Freightliners battery electric Customer Experience and Innovation Fleets help DTNA to accumulate experience while performing work, in real fleets, in real commercial vehicle applications. Almost 50 customers have reached over one million miles of real-world usage.

Saia is charging the box truck at a local commercial charging station, the first of its kind in the U.S. It was the result of a partnership formed by DTNA and Portland General Electric (PGE). Electric Island, as it has been dubbed, opened last spring to allow medium and heavy-duty electric commercial trucks, vehicles capable of moving up to 80,000 pounds at highway speeds, to charge.

Electric Island has eight charging stations for electric cars, buses, box vans and semi-trucks. Apart from charging, the site serves as an innovation center, allowing both DTNA and PGE to study energy management, charger use and performance, and, in the case of DTNA, its own vehicles charging performance.

The explosion of zero-emission technology in the transportation industry these last few years has been amazing to see, stated Burgum. Were constantly investigating ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprint by improving tractor mileage, reducing emissions, and more. Its simply good business to do so. We want to be good stewards of the environment and conduct our operations in a responsible manner.

About Saia, Inc.

Saia Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA) offers customers a wide range of less-than-truckload, non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services. With headquarters in Johns Creek, Georgia, Saia LTL Freight operates 176 terminals across the country and employs over 11,000 people. Saia LTL Freight has been recognized by the American Trucking Associations Safety Management Council for its outstanding safety record as well as by the Environmental Protection Agencys SmartWay program for its efforts to reduce its environmental impact. For more information on Saia Inc., visit saia.com.

For more information, contact: Jeannie S. Jump Saia Corporate Public Relations Phone: 770-232-4069 E-mail jjump@saia.com