After sales in Europe, Volvo shows electric trucks in US
Swedish-based global truck manufacturer Volvo Trucks has demonstrated its North American Class 8 battery-electric project trucks at an exclusive event at the TEC Equipment dealership in Fontana, California.
In Europe, the company, which is a subsidiary of Volvo Group, recently began selling electric trucks for urban transports and demonstrating electric concept trucks for regional distribution and construction operations.
Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of buses, marine and industrial engines, trucks and construction equipment.
By taking advantage of current electromobility technology within the Volvo Group, Volvo Trucks in North America has integrated those techs into the present North American VNR model.
The pilot demonstration in Fontana was part of the Volvo Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions (LIGHTS) project, which is a joint effort by 15 private and public partners to show the feasibility of all-electric freight hauling in urban areas and high-density traffic.
Volvo Trucks North America president Peter Voorhoeve said on the occasion, “The Volvo LIGHTS project demonstrates that for the entire endeavor to come together, it takes more than just the truck. It’s the delivery of the complete eco-system for zero-emission, heavy-duty transport, and taking responsibility for that ecosystem.”
He added, “You can only achieve this by having a common goal, fully integrated collaboration amongst all stakeholders, and agreeing to be pioneers together.”
The Volvo VNR Electric project trucks will be put into real-world commercial operations with NFI and Dependable Supply Chain Services, two of California’s top freight firms.
“In North America, the Volvo VNR Electric will become the ideal truck model for short- and regional-haul applications like heavy urban distribution, and other applications where electric trucks will first have the greatest impact,” says the Volvo Group press release.
Volvo Trucks in North America will start the first phase of serial production and commercial offering of the Volvo VNR Electric late this year.
Volvo produces Class 8 Volvo trucks at its Dublin, Virginia plant and Class 8 Mack truck models in Macungie, Pennsylvania.
Image via press release
