Volvo Trucks have just introduced its first all-electric truck for commercial use. Dubbed the Volvo FL Electric, the all-electric commercial vehicle is geared for urban distribution and refuse operations. Sales and series production of the new model will commence in Europe in 2019 and will be the leading solution provider for electrified goods transportation in cities.
The 16 tonne (gross vehicle weight) truck is powered by an electric motor that generates 130 kW (174 hp) with a max torque of 425 Nm. Volvo Trucks offer a range of battery options ranging from two to six lithium-ion battery packs that offer a real-world driving range of up to 300 km. It may not sound like much, but remember, these trucks are hauling some serious cargo.
Charging time from empty for the largest battery pack (300 kWh) takes 10 hours via a conventional charge point while a fast charging facility can give the battery its full juice in under two hours. The first two FL Electric trucks will be operated by refuse collection and recycling company Renova and haulage firm TGM.
Besides zero-emission commute, the FL Electric also contributes to reducing noise pollution in cities, offering the option for truck operators to conduct operations at night with minimal disturbances. An electric truck can also be used in indoor terminals and environmental zones, creating even more business opportunities for operators.
Head of Product Strategy Volvo FL and Volvo FE at Volvo Trucks, Jonas Odermalm said, “In order to make the transition [to electric trucks] 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. Such a solution may encompass everything from route analysis and battery optimisation to servicing and financing. Volvo Trucks works closely with several suppliers of charging equipment. The aim as always is to offer customers high uptime and productivity,”
According to the company, there is “considerable” market interest in Europe and Volvo Trucks is working with relevant industry players to tackle the challenges needed to support the operations of electrified trucks such as electricity generation, batteries, charging infrastructures and others.
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