Volvo Trucks North America has deployed its first pilot VNR Electric truck in Southern California as part of the Volvo LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions) project—a collaboration with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and 13 other organizations to develop a blueprint to scale up the adoption of battery-electric trucks.

The first e-truck will operate at Volvo’s TEC Equipment dealership in Fontana, California, transporting parts between dealerships in Fontana and La Mirada. TEC’s Fontana facility has two 50 kW chargers inside its truck maintenance bays, as well as a 150 kW charger located outside to enable fleet customers to fast charge.

As part of the LIGHTS project, two local fleet operators—NFI Industries and Dependable Supply Chain Services—will also begin demonstrating VNR e-trucks on regional routes later this summer.  Starting in 2021, Southern California businesses will be able to lease Volvo VNR Electric trucks from TEC Equipment to gain experience with these trucks in their fleet operations.

“Working with our dealership to pilot the first Volvo VNR Electric in real-world applications is an exciting step toward our plans to commercialize these zero-emission trucks in North America this fall,” said Peter Voorhoeve, President of Volvo Trucks North America. “The all-electric Volvo VNR will become the ideal truck model for short- and regional-haul applications, such as urban distribution and drayage.”

“Everyone on my team that has had an opportunity to drive the Volvo VNR Electric has been surprised by how smooth the truck operates,” said Mike Reardon, GM of TEC Equipment’s Fontana dealership.  “Our parts delivery driver loves taking it out, saying it is very quiet and comfortable in the cab and has great power at take-off.”

The LIGHTS project also includes partnerships with Rio Hondo College and San Bernardino Valley College to create EV repair and service technician programs, as well as a training program with fire departments to ensure that the region’s first responders are prepared for accidents involving heavy-duty BEVs.  

Source: Volvo Trucks