Volvo Trucks Presents Heavy-duty Electric Concept Trucks for Construction Operations and Regional Transport

PR82102

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Dec. 10, 2019, /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/

How can the environmental and climate impact of heavy goods traffic be reduced while

the demand for transport continues to increase? Volvo Trucks, having recently started

sales of electric trucks for urban transport, believes that electrification can become a competitive

alternative also for heavier trucks. To explore and demonstrate the possibilities, Volvo Trucks has

developed electric concept trucks for construction operations and regional distribution.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8660651-volvo-trucks-electric-concept-trucks/

"We see great potential for heavy-duty electric trucks for regional transport

and construction in the longer term. With our concept trucks, we aim to explore

and demonstrate different solutions for the future while evaluating the level

of interest in the market and in society. To increase demand for electrified trucks,

the charging infrastructure needs to be rapidly expanded, while stronger financial

incentives must be created for hauliers who act as pioneers by choosing new vehicles

with a lower environmental and climate footprint," states Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks.  

Heavy duty electric trucks can help improve the work environment for drivers

and construction workers thanks to low noise level and zero exhaust emissions

during operation. The latter will have a significant and positive effect on air quality

in cities with many ongoing construction projects. Due to the lack of noise disturbance,

these trucks also make it possible to perform transport operations for more hours per day

which opens up new possibilities for streamlining operations, for instance in large construction

projects and for transports in and around cities.

A reduction of the overall climate impact of the transport sector is possible

by using heavy electric vehicles in regional distribution. The majority of

goods distribution by truck within the EU is regional.

"In Europe there is an enormous number of trucks used for regional goods transport

that have an average annual mileage of 80,000 km. This means that increased use of

electric vehicles for regional distribution would result in significant climate gains, provided

the electricity is fossil-free," says Lars Martensson, Director Environment and Innovation,

Volvo Trucks. Volvo Trucks' plan for electric heavy-duty trucks for construction and regional

distribution is to start by having selected customers in Europe pilot a small number of future

electric vehicles. More extensive commercialisation will follow at a later point.

"The speed of electrification will depend on a number of factors. On the one hand,

an extensive expansion of the charging infrastructure is needed, and on the other hand

it's necessary to ensure that regional power networks can deliver sufficient transfer capacity

in the long term. Financial incentives are necessary to induce more hauliers to invest in

electric vehicles. Transport buyers can also contribute by offering longer contracts and

being more willing to pay for sustainable transports. Many haulage operators have very small

margins, so every new investment must be profitable,” explains Martensson.  

In parallel with increased electrification of the transport sector, ongoing

improvement of the efficiency of combustion engines will continue to play

a key role for long haul truck transport for many years to come.

"Today's truck engines are efficient energy converters that can run on diesel

or various renewable fuels such as liquefied biogas or HVO, and the technology

still has potential for further development," states Martensson.

Volvo trucks with alternative fuels/drivelines

- Volvo FL Electric and Volvo FE Electric. Both these trucks are all-electric and intended,

for instance, for local distribution and refuse handling in urban environments.

- Volvo FH LNG and Volvo FM LNG. The Volvo FH for heavy duty long-haul operations

and the Volvo FM for heavy duty regional transport run on liquefied natural gas or biogas.  

- Volvo FE CNG. Volvo FE for compressed natural gas or biogas is intended for

local distribution and refuse handling.  

Read more about Volvo Trucks view on sustainable transports:

Volvo FL Electric and Volvo FE Electric sales start

[https://www.volvotrucks.com/en-en/news/press-releases/2019/nov/pressrelease-191106.html ]

Electromobility website [https://www.volvotrucks.com/en-en/about-us/electromobility.html ]   

Knowledge Hub [https://knowledgehub.volvotrucks.com/ ]

LNG press release [https://www.volvotrucks.com/en-en/trucks/volvo-fh-series/volvo-fh-lng.html ]  

I-Save press release [https://www.volvotrucks.com/en-en/news/press-releases/2019/mar/pressrelease-190307.html ]

Download images here [https://images.volvotrucks.com/search?querylabel=Collection&querystring=(ID%20%3D%3D%2041559%29%7C%7C(ID%20%3D%3D%2041560%29%7C%7C(ID%20%3D%3D%2041561%7C%7C(ID%20%3D%3D%2041562%29%7C%7C(ID%20%3D%3D%2041563%29%7C%7C(ID%20%3D%3D%2041564) ]

See the film here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW9AAy3Tbbk&feature=youtu.be ]

Press images and films are available in the Volvo Trucks image and film gallery

at http://images.volvotrucks.com [https://images.volvotrucks.com/categories ]

Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers,

offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via

a global network of 2,100 dealers and workshops in more than 130 countries. Volvo trucks

are assembled in 15 countries across the globe. In 2018, more than 127,000 Volvo trucks

were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of Volvo Group, one of the world's leading

manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines.

The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks' work is

based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1041274/Volvo_Trucks.jpg

For further information, please contact:

Ebba von Geijer, Press Officer, Electromobility,  Volvo Trucks

Email: ebba.von.geijer@volvo.com

Phone: +46765536890

Source: Volvo Trucks