Volvo Trucks North America has announced that production of the enhanced Volvo VNR Electric model will begin in Q2 2022 and features an up to 85% increased range, faster charging and more configurations for heavy-duty transport. Volvo Trucks first began taking customer orders for its first Volvo VNR Electric model in December 2020, with commercial production starting in quarter two 2021 at the company’s New River Valley manufacturing plant in Dublin, Virginia. Over the past year, Volvo Trucks has delivered the Volvo VNR Electric to customers in several states across the U.S., collecting valuable operating data to continually improve the technology to increase the efficiency of the truck under varying operating conditions. The next generation Volvo VNR Electric is now open for order.
“It is a testament to Volvo Trucks’ leadership that in a continuously evolving industry we are bringing the enhanced version of our VNR Electric to the market a year after sales of the VNR Electric first started,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “Volvo Trucks is at the forefront in the industry, always innovating and improving, while upholding the highest standards in design, construction and safety. Our team is proud of its role, together with dealers and customers, in accelerating the shift to electromobility and a more sustainable future.”
Improvements in battery design have resulted in an up to 40% increase in storage capacity for each battery, the company says. A dedicated Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS) was added to manage and maintain ideal environmental temperatures. Volvo Trucks has also introduced a new six-battery package option. Combining all three boasts an increased energy storage of up to 565kWh and offers an operational range of up to 275 miles, the company says. Regenerative braking energy is captured and fed back into the system to maximize energy efficiency and driving range. The enhanced Volvo VNR Electric also reduces the required charging time, as the state-of-the-art 250kW charging capability provides an 80% charge in 90 minutes for the six-battery package and 60 minutes for the four-battery version, Volvo says.
Volvo Trucks has added two new configurations to its VNR Electric lineup — a 6×4 straight truck and a 6×4 tractor — joining its three existing models: 4×2 tractor, 6×2 tractor, and single-axle straight truck. Each Volvo VNR Electric configuration is designed for applications and drive cycles with local and regional distribution ranges, including food and beverage, drayage, and pick-up and delivery routes.
“Volvo Trucks is continuing to expand the capabilities of the VNR Electric to make it more efficient, satisfy our customer demands for expanded range, and provide a better driving experience,” said Andy Brown, Volvo Trucks’ product marketing manager for electromobility. “The electric driveline featuring a two-speed I-Shift transmission provides best-in-class, powerful, and smooth acceleration. Innovations such as Volvo Active Driver Assist and Dynamic Steering make driving effortless and precise, while at the same time improving safety.”
Volvo Trucks says it is focused on supporting customers in their electromobility transition by expanding its network of Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) Dealerships that consult with fleets who are considering making the investment in the Volvo VNR Electric. The sales teams at Volvo Trucks EV Certified Dealerships are fully educated on guiding customers through the transition towards electromobility solutions and the service teams are trained and equipped to safely perform battery-electric truck maintenance and repairs. Volvo Trucks has certified dealers in California and New York and is working with numerous dealerships throughout North America to finalize their certifications. Volvo Trucks says it has also built a dedicated corporate salesforce to support dealers and customers, with electromobility district managers in place across the country.
Funding and incentives are an important part of the total cost of ownership calculation for fleets deploying battery-electric trucks, and Volvo Trucks says it helps customers leverage funding programs across North America. In addition, Volvo Financial Services offers complete financing and insurance solutions for the Volvo VNR Electric and charging infrastructure.
Volvo Trucks introduced the Volvo Gold Contract in conjunction with the initial launch of the Volvo VNR Electric to provide peace of mind for new electric truck owners. Incorporating maintenance, towing, uptime services and full coverage of major components, the Volvo Gold Contract is the most advanced service contract available and comes standard with the Volvo VNR Electric.
