Article originally published on ACT Expo and can be found here.
Volvo Trucks North America revealed it will be utilizing VNR Electrics on local logistics routes servicing the company’s New River Valley (NRV) truck assembly plant in Dublin, Virginia, by end the end of 2021. During its press conference at this year’s ACT Expo, the OEM also announced that Performance Team, a warehousing and distribution company, has placed an order for 16 Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 trucks — the biggest order of its battery-electric truck.
“An important part of Volvo Trucks’ sustainability strategy is to reduce CO2 from our own operations globally and putting the Volvo VNR Electric to work servicing our NRV operations is just the beginning,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “As an added benefit, the rolling hills around Dublin will demonstrate the world-class capability and durability of the Volvo VNR Electrics as they go to work for us every day.”
Working with local suppliers and carriers, Volvo Trucks will deploy three zero-tailpipe emission VNR Electrics to transport inbound parts and components daily to the plant where every Volvo truck is assembled in North America. Each truck will complete up to 16 roundtrips per day, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 140 metric tons annually and cut diesel use by approximately 18,000 gallons per year.
The VNR Electric order with Performance Team will be the first zero-tailpipe emission, battery-electric Class 8 trucks in its fleet, which will be on the road by end of year. When put into service, all 16 vehicles will be carrying regional loads daily to customers across Southern California.
“Customers are looking for more truck power to meet high volume delivery demands,” said Jason Walker, executive vice president of operations of Performance Team. “This new order of Volvo VNR Electric trucks will give us firsthand experience on their performance carrying regional loads and environmental benefits. Our findings will help determine next steps in our fleet modernization and the electric infrastructure necessary for future operations.”
The purchase of the VNR Electric models will be made through Volvo Trucks’ dealership TEC Equipment, which is the company’s largest dealership on the West Coast and was recently named the first Volvo EV Certified Dealer in North America. To optimize VNR Electric customers’ uptime, TEC Equipment is training its service technicians on the complete electromobility system and safety regulations, as well as installing battery-electric truck charging infrastructure and specialty equipment in its maintenance bays.