Volvo will
introduce a host of all-electric truck prototypes throughout California next
year before commercializing them in 2020. In a statement, the Swedish automaker
confirmed that it had been awarded US$ 44.8 million from the California Air
Resources Board for the Volvo LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport
Solutions) project. This project involves 16 partners and will overhaul the
freight operations at the facilities of two of the nation’s top trucking
fleets.
Volvo Truck’s
demonstration units rolling out in 2019 will be based on the technology
currently used by the Volvo FE Electric, recently unveiled in Europe and
designed for heavy city distribution and refuse transport operations.
This vehicle
features a pair of electric motors delivering 370 kW (496 hp) of maximum power
and 850 Nm of torque. Also found beneath the skin is a two-speed
transmission, lithium-ion battery packs varying between 200 and 300 kWh in
capacity, and 150 kW charging functionality. The trucks are efficient and
powerful.
Volvo will
initially deploy eight multi-configuration battery Class 8 electric
demonstration units alongside an additional 15 pre-commercial and commercial
units through California’s South Coast Air Basin. The manufacturer says the
project will result in a reduction of 3.57 tons of criteria pollutants and 3020
tons of greenhouse gases annually.
