Volvo Trucks has announced plans to introduce its first all-electric truck, which will be available for commercial use in 2019.
The transition towards electric vehicles is underway in cities across the world, and Volvo’s first all-electric truck will further facilitate this process. Volvo Trucks’ sister company Volvo Buses has already provided more than 4,000 electrified buses since 2010 as part of this transition, and the company has gathered expertise in electric transport which it will bring to its new trucks.
The Volvo FL Electric truck has a number of potential applications in urban conditions, including distribution services and refuse collection. Orders have already been places by recycling company Renova and haulage company TGM for the first two models, to enter into service next year.
The introduction of Volvo’s first all-electric truck will help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and provides a viable alternative to greenhouse gas-emitting trucks. The vehicle has a range of up to 300km, and using rapid charging, is able to complete a full charge in under two hours.
What did Volvo say about the new truck?
Claes Nilsson, President of Volvo Trucks, announced the company’s ambition to improve the sustainability of transport on the whole by introducing a range of electric trucks. He said: “We’re immensely proud to present the first in a range of fully electrically-powered Volvo trucks ready for regular traffic.”
Further, the company is currently working in collaboration with the companies that have ordered the trucks, to ensure that the models delivered will meet their needs, and effectively replace diesel and petrol-fuelled counterparts.
Jonas Odermalm, head of product strategy for the Volvo FL Electric trucks, explained: “From experience we know how important it is that cities, energy suppliers and vehicle manufacturers cooperate in order for large-scale electrification to become a reality… In order to make the transition secure and smooth, we will offer holistic solutions based on each customer’s individual needs regarding driving cycles, load capacity, uptime, range and other parameters.”
