Daimler Trucks North America donated a 2008 Freightliner Cascadia tractor truck to Bellingham Technical College in September.

Students in the college’s diesel technology program will use the truck to learn about new electronic systems such as anti-lock brakes, traction control, engine diagnostics and new emissions control systems.

“The ability for a student to walk into a dealership and state that they have experience with their platform really helps the student gain employment,” diesel technology instructor Jeff Curtis said in a press release. “This industry is technology heavy, and having current vehicles is essential to our continued success.”

New, the truck would cost more than $150,000, according to the news release.

Daimler originally approached two colleges about the truck donation. They chose to donate to Bellingham Technical College after communicating with the school’s diesel technology faculty, according to the news release.

The college’s grounds crew also added a donated truck to its fleet last summer. Exxel Pacific donated a used Chevy Silverado 2500 Heavy Duty pickup, which will be used for day-today work and snow-plowing on campus.