Family-owned drayage company 4 Gen Logistics has successfully deployed its fleet of 41 all-electric Volvo VNR trucks for freight hauling duties between distribution warehouses in California’s Inland Empire, a major logistics and warehousing hub, and the Port of Long Beach. This is a significant step forward for the company, which has a goal of operating a 100% zero-tailpipe emission fleet by 2025.
The order for the EV truck fleet was placed following positive feedback from drivers after they had the opportunity to sample the vehicle as part of the Volvo LIGHTS project in 2022, which is essentially “a blueprint for the complete ecosystem needed to successfully deploy commercial battery-electric freight trucks.”
“We have more than 15,000 miles on our first Volvo VNR Electric that was deployed in 2022. Driver feedback has been extremely positive and played a crucial role in our decision to invest in additional Volvo VNR Electric trucks to support our commitment to operating a 100% zero-tailpipe emission fleet by 2025,” said David Duncan, the owner of 4 Gen Logistics.
The battery-electric truck fleet is currently logging almost 240 miles per shift, with two daily driver shifts. Each truck features a six-battery pack that enables a range of up to 275 miles. Equally important, the trucks can obtain an 80% charge in about 90 minutes. “Drivers are adapting quickly to the battery-electric trucks and improving their range each week as they learn to use the regenerative braking,” Duncan added. These drivers particularly enjoy the trucks’ lack of noise, plenty of torque, and the fast and smooth acceleration.
To date, over half of the company’s fleet has been converted to battery-electric. “They're setting a remarkable standard for environmental responsibility which is particularly important for the disadvantaged communities in which they operate,” said Jared Ruiz, regional vice president – West, Volvo Trucks North America. “We're excited to collaborate with our dealer partner, TEC Equipment, to support the 4 Gen Logistics team in optimizing the benefits of their Volvo VNR Electric trucks.”
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Tec Equipment assisted 4 Gen Logistics in numerous ways ahead of the final purchase, such as funding options and deciding on the ideal truck configuration to meet the company’s daily needs. Some of the funding support came from California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) and the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC).
In addition, the dealership provided training assistance for drivers, specifically on how to maximize range and the proper use of regenerative braking. As part of the Volvo Gold Contract, a premier service that’s available to customers, Tec Equipment’s dealers will continue to assist the company with operational tasks.
4 Gen Logistics’ commitment to zero-emissions goes beyond the fleet purchase. It is building a charging infrastructure at its Port of Long Beach property that will, upon completion, consist of 60 350 kW charging stations. The company is also adding 30 more 350 kW charging stations at its Rialto facility.
"The transition to battery-electric vehicles represents a significant shift in the transportation industry, but it's not without its challenges,” said James Barker, electromobility territory finance manager for Volvo Financial Services. "4 Gen Logistics is one of the progressive fleets that is leading the way in overcoming these challenges and dedicated to scaling zero emissions vehicles to reduce their impact on the communities where its freight trucks operate.”
