Anna Hartz
Electric trucks are now moving into that market, but their success depends on range, charging speed and the ability to carry enough cargo.
Heavy trucks have traditionally depended on diesel, especially when they need to travel long distances or carry heavy loads. Volvo Trucks is taking another step in that direction with a new generation of electric vehicles.
Greater flexibility
The company has started series production at its Tuve plant in Gothenburg, Sweden, reports El Economista. The first trucks rolled off the assembly line only a few months after Volvo introduced the new range.
The most notable model is the Volvo FH Aero Electric with extended range. It can travel up to 700 kilometers on a single charge, according to the company.
Volvo says the new trucks could make electric power suitable for many transport routes that still rely on diesel. The longer range and greater flexibility are expected to help operators use electric trucks for more demanding work.
Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks, said the start of production shows that the company is turning new technology into a product that can be built on an industrial scale. He also described the move as part of Volvo’s effort to make freight transport more sustainable.
The FH Aero Electric with extended range uses a new e-axle. This design creates more space for batteries, allowing the truck to store more energy without changing its basic role as a heavy-duty vehicle.
The importance of fast charging
The truck can also use megawatt charging. Faster charging could be important for operators who need to keep vehicles working for long periods. Volvo says the combination of longer range, high payload capacity and faster charging opens up routes that have usually required diesel trucks.
The new electric range also includes the FH Electric, FM Electric and FMX Electric. These models use a new electric powertrain and offer ranges of up to 470 kilometers.
Volvo says customers have responded positively. Alm reported strong interest in the new trucks and said the company was already seeing demand for orders.
Production will take place at two major European factories. The first vehicles are being built in Gothenburg, while the Ghent plant in Belgium will also manufacture the trucks.
Volvo currently offers eight electric truck models. They are designed for several uses, from city deliveries and waste collection to regional transport, long-distance work and construction.
