Enertech Capital Holding Company LP
08/05/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/05/2026 09:01
EnerTech Invests in Class8, an OEM-Native AI Operating Layer for Commercial Trucking
Investment will support expansion of a vehicle-connected intelligence platform across fleet operations, emerging in-cab interfaces, carrier verification, and trusted data applications.
August 5, 2026 - Toronto, ON and Philadelphia, PA - EnerTech Capital, a leading venture capital firm focused on Mobility, Industry 4.0, and Connected Customer, is pleased to announce its investment in Class8, an OEM-native AI platform building a common intelligence and application layer between commercial vehicles, drivers, fleet teams, and industry partners.
Commercial trucks are increasingly connected, but the software used to operate them remains fragmented across the vehicle, driver, and back office. Class8 uses carrier-authorized OEM vehicle data and real-time operational context to connect dispatch, compliance, communications, maintenance, and freight workflows. The platform is designed to help fleets coordinate decisions across the truck and fleet office without adding another disconnected hardware and software stack.
"The next generation of commercial trucking software should begin with the truck and the operational context around it," said Class8 CEO Chris Atkinson. "Class8 is building the intelligence layer that connects OEM vehicle data with the decisions made by drivers, dispatchers, maintenance teams, and partners. That gives fleets a more unified operating experience today and creates a foundation for increasingly intelligent in-cab experiences in the future. EnerTech understands the intersection of mobility, connectivity, and software, making them an ideal partner as we scale that vision."
Class8 recently announced a strategic partnership with Daimler Truck North America to make its AI-powered digital services available to eligible Freightliner® customers. The initial capabilities include Dispatch AI, Load Optimization, and a wireless electronic logging device (ELD) that uses built-in vehicle connectivity. Class8 also works directly with Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks with its Load Optimization technologies. The relationships demonstrate how OEM connectivity can serve as a foundation for practical fleet applications while reducing the need for separate aftermarket hardware.
As commercial vehicles become more software-defined, Class8 is also developing the foundation to extend context-aware workflows into the cab. This creates the potential for drivers to interact with dispatch, maintenance, freight, and other services through voice and display experiences informed by live vehicle and operational context.
The same carrier-authorized data foundation can support trusted applications beyond fleet operations, including carrier verification, vehicle safety, cargo integrity, maintenance intelligence, claims, and insurance underwriting. For carriers with limited FMCSA inspection histories, verified OEM data can provide a more complete picture of vehicle safety and operational performance, helping qualified operators stand out beyond sparse public records. Class8 is developing these capabilities around a model that keeps carriers in control of how their data is used and ensures that data-driven services create measurable value for fleets as well as industry partners.
"Class8 occupies a distinctive position at the intersection of OEM connectivity, artificial intelligence, and fleet operations," said Wally Hunter, Managing Partner at EnerTech Capital. "The company is not simply adding AI to an existing fleet application. It is building a vehicle-connected intelligence layer capable of coordinating increasingly complex workflows across trucks, drivers, and fleet teams."
"As commercial vehicles become more connected and software-defined, the application layer around the vehicle will become increasingly important," said Scott Ungerer, Founder and Managing Partner at EnerTech Capital. "Class8 has developed the OEM relationships, industry expertise, and AI capabilities required to build meaningful products at that layer and extend them into a broader ecosystem of embedded and data-enabled services. We are excited to support the company's continued growth."
EnerTech continues to invest in companies developing innovative technologies that are reshaping the future of mobility. Class8 strengthens EnerTech's portfolio of companies leveraging software, connectivity, and artificial intelligence to improve the movement of goods and services while creating greater operational efficiency across the transportation ecosystem.
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About EnerTech Capital
EnerTech Capital is a globally recognized venture capital firm that has been investing and partnering with innovators since 1996, empowering entrepreneurs to build transformative technology companies. The firm has pioneered an integrated approach to business building, leveraging strategic collaboration across a diverse stakeholder ecosystem to create value, with a focus on Mobility, Industry 4.0, and Connected Customer. EnerTech's current platform has a significant focus on emerging opportunities in the mobility space across Electrification, Autonomy,
Smart Mobility, and Connectivity. The firm has a long history of working with corporate strategic investors and providing value-added insights and partnership opportunities to support growth and innovation objectives.
EnerTech has offices in Toronto, Philadelphia, Palm Beach Gardens, Boston, and Orange County.
For more information, visit: www.enertechcapital.com
Enertech Capital Holding Company LP published this content on August 05, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 05, 2026 at 15:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]