Starting next year, Volvo electric trucks will begin making their way over to North America thanks to an innovative partnership between the Volvo Group, Volvo Trucks, and California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).
Swedish automaker, Volvo, plans to introduce fully-electric truck demonstrators in California starting 2019, and aims to commercialize them in North America in 2020.
As of right now, we currently are aware of the following facts regarding the venture:
- Demonstration units of the Volvo electric trucks will be based on the technology currently being used in the Volvo FE Electric, Volvo Trucks’ model that was presented in May with an estimated European market date of 2019.
- Eight multi-configuration battery Class 8 demonstration units, as well as 15 pre-commercial and commercial units, will be deployed throughout California’s South Coast Air Basin.
- “Smart technologies” such as remote diagnostics, geofencing, and web-based service management platforms will be used to monitor all performance aspects of the project.
- The project will integrate non-truck battery-electric equipment, non-proprietary chargers, and solar energy production equipment.
- The project will reduce an estimated 3.57 tons of criteria pollutants and 3,020 tons of greenhouse gases annually.
Additionally, The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has awarded $44.8 million to SCAQMD for the Volvo LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions) project, which will involve 16 partners aimed to transform freight operations at two of the United States’ top trucking fleets, Dependable Highway Express (DHE) and National Freight, Inc. (NFI).
In a recent statement, the Volvo LIGHTS program has been described as “an example of the new forms of public-private partnerships that electrification of truck transport will allow, as regions target improved air quality, reduced traffic noise, and reduced congestion during peak hours.”
Claes Nilsson, President of Volvo Trucks, had this to say regarding the project:
“This is yet another important step towards our vision zero emissions. We are convinced that electrified truck transport will be a key driver of sustainable transports, and we’re proud to contribute to the Volvo Group’s expertise to this innovative public-private partnership”
Source: Volvo Group
