Monday at the ACT Expo, Volvo Trucks North America teased the forthcoming expansion of its zero-emission lineup with a preview of the next-generation Volvo VNL Electric, a heavy-duty truck designed to tackle regional hauling, port drayage, and urban distribution.
The upcoming model is the fourth vehicle built on Volvo’s new platform, joining the redesigned VNL, VNR, and a recently teased vocational model. Volvo's current electric model, the VNR Electric, is built on the prior generation platform.
Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA), said the VNL Electric will feature the Onyx Battery Platform from Proterra, featuring batteries that are manufactured in South Carolina and designed to withstand demanding operating conditions. While range figures have not yet been finalized, VTNA Vice President of Strategy, Marketing and Brand Management Magnus Koeck noted the expectation is that range will exceed that of the VNR Electric due to the improvement in the batteries.
The pending launch comes as Volvo builds on momentum in the electric sector. The company currently has more than 750 electric trucks in operation across the U.S. and Canada, surpassing 30 million miles of travel.
To support the rollout, Volvo is establishing a sprawling service network, certifying 84 dealership locations across 33 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces to handle electric vehicle maintenance and infrastructure.
While the new VNL Electric, which will be available only in daycab, focuses on sustainability, Volvo stressed that the truck will maintain the safety and comfort standards of its flagship VNL series. It will be available for order soon.
VNR Electric gets ePTO
Volvo also announced Monday an upgrade its VNR Electric with a mechanical electric power take-off (ePTO) system, enabling the vehicle to run auxiliary equipment directly from its onboard batteries. By eliminating the need for a secondary diesel engine to power tools or lifts, this enhancement allows the truck to serve a broader range of specialized industries, such as waste management, construction, and municipal services.
The ePTO system functions by transforming DC power from the traction battery into three-phase AC power. This energy drives a specialized motor with the following performance metrics with 69.5 kW of continuous power (just more than 90 hp) and 200 lb-ft torque.
