NEW EQUIPMENT NEWS
No exhaust emissions – Volvo’s electrically powered truck can be used
where other vehicles are not allowed to drive.
Odermalm stresses the
importance that, within cities,
energy suppliers and vehicle
manufacturers should cooperate in
order for large-scale electrification
to become a reality. “With
attractive incentives, agreed
standards and a long-term strategy
for urban planning and expansion
of the charging infrastructure, the
process can go much faster,” he
explains.
Volvo Trucks believes that it
is essential to take a holistic
view of electrification of the
transport sector to handle the
ongoing challenges in areas such
as electricity generation and
batteries. “For instance, in order
to ensure that raw materials for
the batteries are extracted in a
responsible way, the Volvo Group
works with the Drive Sustainably
network, which has a special
function that monitors this issue.
The Volvo Group is also involved in
various projects where batteries
from heavy electric vehicles get
a second lease of life, reused for
energy storage. All the questions
about handling of batteries have
not yet been solved, but we are
working actively both within
the Group and together
with other actors to drive
development and
create the necessary
solutions,” he adds.
The first
trucks in the
Volvo FL
Electric range are now entering
regular operation with customers
in Gothenburg, the home of
Volvo Trucks.
The FL Electric offers two different charging
systems: CCS charging with charge power up to
150kW DC, and Low Power Charging with charge
power up to 22kW AC.
Volvo Trucks introduces the Volvo
FL Electric for urban distribution
and refuse operations, among
other applications. Sales and series
production of the new model will
start in Europe next year.
Without any exhaust emissions,
it can be used in indoor terminals
and environmentally sensitive
areas, while the low noise level
offers opportunities for conducting
work at night, thus reducing the
burden on the roads during the
day and impacting operations
productively.
Jonas Odermalm, head of
product strategy Volvo FL and
Volvo FE at Volvo Trucks, says,
“In order to make the transition
secure and smooth, we will offer
holistic solutions based on each
customer’s individual needs
regarding driving cycles, load
capacity, uptime, range, and other
parameters. Such a solution may
encompass everything from route
analysis and battery optimisation
to servicing and financing. Volvo
Trucks works closely with several
suppliers of charging equipment.
The aim as always is to offer
customers high uptime and
productivity.”
Backing the Volvo Trucks offer
is the Volvo Group’s amassed
expertise in electrified transport
solutions. Sister company Volvo
Buses has sold more than 4 000
electrified buses since 2010. The
technology used for propulsion
and energy storage in the Volvo
FL Electric has been thoroughly
tried and tested from the outset
and is supported by Volvo Trucks’
far-reaching network for sales,
service, and parts supply.
First Volvo FL electric truck for commercial use
JUNE 2018
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