Volvo Trucks is one of the leading manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles in the world, and it has a clear vision for the future of transportation: electric trucks. The Swedish company has recently announced a record order for 1,000 electric trucks from Holcim, one of the world's largest suppliers of building materials. This is a major milestone for Volvo and a sign of the growing demand for zero-emission transport solutions. Here's why you should pay attention to Volvo electric trucks and how they can benefit your business and the environment.
A Wide Range of Electric Trucks for Different Needs
Volvo Trucks offers a wide range of electric trucks for different needs and applications, from city distribution to regional haulage and construction operations. The electric portfolio includes:
- Volvo FH Electric: A powerful and comfortable truck for long-distance deliveries between cities, with a range of up to 186 miles and a gross combination weight (GCW) of up to 44 tonnes.
- Volvo FM Electric: A versatile and agile truck for regional transport and urban deliveries, with a range of up to 186 miles and a GCW of up to 44 tonnes.
- Volvo FMX Electric: A robust and reliable truck for urban construction and mining, with a range of up to 186 miles and a GCW of up to 44 tonnes.
- Volvo FE Electric: A compact and efficient truck for waste collection, light construction, and city distribution, with a range of up to 124 miles and a GCW of up to 27 tonnes.
- Volvo FL Electric: A nimble and flexible truck for door-to-door deliveries and refrigerated transport, with a range of up to 186 miles and a GCW of up to 16 tonnes.
- Volvo VNR Electric: A smart and versatile truck for local and regional deliveries in North America, with a range of up to 150 miles and a GCW of up to 37 tonnes.
All these Volvo electric trucks are built on a proven and flexible platform that can be customized to suit different customer needs. They are also equipped with advanced features such as regenerative braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot warning, parking sensors, rearview camera, head-up display, wireless smartphone charger, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, navigation, voice control, online services and more.
A Hybrid Engine That Saves Fuel and Money
The Volvo electric trucks are powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be charged using either AC or DC power sources. The charging time depends on the battery capacity and the power output of the charger, but it can range from 2.5 hours (with DC fast charging) to 9.5 hours (with AC normal charging). The batteries are also monitored by a smart energy management system that optimizes energy usage and maximizes battery life.
The Volvo electric trucks also feature an innovative driveline that consists of two or three electric motors (depending on the model) and an I-Shift gearbox adapted for electromobility. The electric motors provide smooth and powerful acceleration, while the gearbox ensures optimal efficiency and performance. Depending on the driving conditions and preferences, the driveline can also switch between different drive modes (Pure, Hybrid, and Sport).
Volvo Trucks can achieve significant savings in fuel costs and maintenance expenses compared to conventional diesel trucks. According to Volvo Trucks, an electric truck can save up to $0.25 per mile in fuel costs and up to $0.05 per mile in maintenance costs over a five-year period. That means that an electric truck can pay for itself in less than three years if driven 60,000 miles per year.
A Green Solution That Reduces Emissions and Noise
The Volvo electric trucks are not only good for your wallet but also for the planet. By switching to electric trucks, you can reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change. According to Volvo Trucks, an electric truck can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to a diesel truck over its lifetime.
The Volvo electric trucks are also good for your health and well-being. By eliminating tailpipe emissions, you can improve the air quality in your surroundings and protect yourself and others from harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and carbon monoxide (CO). You can also reduce noise pollution by driving a quiet electric truck that produces less than 70 decibels (dB) at full speed.
The Volvo Trucks are especially suitable for urban areas where noise and air quality are major concerns. By driving an electric truck, you can comply with the increasingly strict environmental regulations in many cities around the world that limit or ban diesel vehicles in certain zones or during certain hours. You can also access more customers by delivering goods at night or early in the morning without disturbing anyone.
