In partnership with California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and industry leaders in transportation and electrical charging infrastructure, Volvo Trucks will introduce all-electric truck demonstrators in California this year, and will put them into commercial production in North America in 2020.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) awarded $44.8 million to SCAQMD for the Volvo Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions (LIGHTS) project – a green initiative involving 16 partners working to transform freight operations.
Volvo’s first 113-inch BBC electric VNR models – chosen for their tight turning radius and driver comfort features – will soon be headed to the Port of Los Angeles, put into test operations with NFI and Dependable Highway Express.
“The return-to-base, and hub-to-hub operations are where [electrification] makes the most sense, where customers can invest in their own infrastructure,” said Chad Burchett, chief project manager for the electric VNR. “As energy storage systems improve over time, then we will move segment-by-segment until we eventually make it out into the long haul segment.”
Brett Pope, director of electric vehicles for Volvo Trucks North America, foresees the electric truck potentially transforming transportation by eliminating tailpipe emissions, and allowing for more nighttime operation and facilitating a more comfortable work environment thanks to the absence of diesel engine noise.
“If you take a heavy duty truck off the road during peak hours, that could help with traffic congestion,” he said.
