Long-haul, Class 8 battery-electric commercial trucks are only in the beginning stages of entering the market and the battery-electric Volvo VNR Electric, combined with the manufacturer's Truck-as-a-Service (TaaS) model, called Volvo on Demand, is one way for fleets to get started.
[Related: Volvo's VNR Electric hits operational milestone]
Enter R&M Trucking, which operates a fleet of 300 trucks in the Class 6 and 8 segments specifically for conducting local and regional deliveries at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to the surrounding suburbs. The company has not only purchased its first Volvo VNR Electric but it's officially the first Volvo on Demand customer in the U.S.
“Volvo on Demand is designed to remove barriers to adopting battery-electric trucks by offering a flexible, all-inclusive service model,” said Logan Andrew, eMobility territory finance manager East, Volvo Financial Services (VFS). “This deployment helps R&M Trucking integrate electric trucks into its fleet in a way that makes business sense — minimizing upfront capital investment while providing predictable operational costs.”
[Related: Volvo Trucks delivers 70 VNR Electrics thanks to $21.5 million fund]
R&M Trucking says it will operate a 6x4 tractor with a six-battery configuration that enables a range up to 275 miles on a single charge, which more than accommodates typical daily runs ranging from 70 to 100 miles. The VNR Electric can also achieve an 80% charge in around 90 minutes.
The company is also installing must-have infrastructure at its warehouse to enable overnight charging. Opting for the Volvo on Demand service was the logical choice following consultations with Volvo Financial Services and a local Volvo Trucks dealership.
The TaaS model, which is not exclusive to Volvo Trucks, is proving to be an effective way for fleets to take the first step towards transitioning fleets from diesel to battery-electric.
[Related: Volvo's Certified EV dealer network expands again]
“Sustainability is a priority for R&M Trucking, with many customers seeking logistics partners that can help reduce their carbon footprint. The Volvo VNR Electric gives us the ability to provide zero-tailpipe emission deliveries while maintaining the reliability and performance our customers expect,” said Mike Narvaez, director of safety, R&M Trucking. “Volvo on Demand made it easy to get started with battery-electric trucks, ensuring we have the support and flexibility needed to determine the next step of our electromobility transition.”
Volvo Trucks Certified EV dealer, M&K Truck Centers, will assist R&M with a number of tasks, specifically maximizing the truck's uptime and evaluating conditions to electrify more routes.
