Volvo to release VNR Electric truck model in US

Volvo Trucks is announcing plans to introduce an all-electric model in the United States by next year.

The company has released teaser images of the Volvo VNR Electric which will be demonstrated in California in 2019 and set for North America sales in 2020.

Volvo Trucks North America president Peter Voorhoeve says the model is designed to support cities focused on sustainable urban development.

It will target fleets operating in a range of regional haulage and distribution operations.

“The Volvo VNR Electric leverages the versatility of the new Volvo VNR series with a proven fully-electric powertrain, and represents a strategic stride toward a comprehensive electrified transport ecosystem,” Voorhoeve says.

The Volvo VNR demonstration units will be based on technology currently being used in another electric model by the company, the Volvo FE.

Sister company Volvo Buses has also sold more than 4000 electrified buses since 2010.

Volvo Trucks North America product marketing director Johan Agebrand says the model will be ideal for heavy urban distribution and short distance deliveries.

“The VNR series has received tremendous industry acceptance since its April 2017 introduction and the addition of an all-electric powertrain provides even greater opportunities to expand its footprint in the regional-haul market,” Agebrand says.

The introduction of the Volvo VNR Electric models are part of a partnership known as LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions) between the Volvo Group, California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), and industry leaders in transportation and electrical charging infrastructure.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has preliminarily awarded $44.8 million to SCAQMD for the project.

It will involve 16 partners, and will transform freight operations at the facilities of two of the United States’ top trucking fleets.