Volvo Trucks launches sales of electric trucks in Europe

Volvo says the FL and FE Electric trucks have huge potential for urban planning, as they can be used in indoor loading areas and environmental zones.

The low noise levels make it possible to carry out deliveries and refuse collection in early mornings, or at night, helping to improve transport logistics and reduce congestion during peak hours. With better air quality and less noise, electric trucks create new opportunities for city planning and road infrastructure, the company said in a press statement.

“Global urbanisation requires urban logistics and truck transport with zero emissions and less noise with increasing urgency. With the Volvo FL Electric and FE Electric we are able to meet both the strong environmental demands as well as the high commercial requirements of our customers,” says Jonas Odermalm, VP Product Line Electromobility.

Related reading:
Volvo teases VNR Electric truck
Volvo Vera gets its first gig
Volvo launches second all-electric truck

Odermalm added that one challenge is to maximise the payload at the same time as optimising the driving range.

The Volvo FL Electric has capacity for a GVW (gross vehicle weight) of 16 tonnes, while the GVW of the FE Electric is 27 tonnes.

The FL Electric and FE Electric trucks have been developed for distribution, refuse handling and other urban transport applications.

Sales will start in Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands.

“Volvo Trucks’ solutions will be based on individual business needs that consider a number of parameters, such as driving cycles, load capacity and route analysis, to use the battery capacity in the most efficient way possible.”

Volvo FL Electric and Volvo FE Electric were developed in close collaboration with selected customers operating in Gothenburg, Sweden. Feedback has been very positive, and the drivers involved in the collaboration are particularly impressed by the responsive driveline, seamless acceleration and how quiet the trucks are, we're told.

“While customer feedback has been positive, we do recognise that charging infrastructure is still under development in most cities and we are working alongside both public and private partners to agree on a long-term strategy for the expansion of charging infrastructure,” said Odermalm. “But it’s clear that the pace of development of charging infrastructure needs to increase.”

Addressing climate change will require the availability of several driveline technologies.

“Electric vehicles, charged with electricity from renewable sources, are indeed a powerful step towards more sustainable city distribution. However, there will not be one singular energy source that addresses climate change and all other environmental issues. Different types of transport require different types of driveline solutions,” concluded Jonas Odermalm.

Anna Thordén, Product Manager, Electromobility at Volvo Trucks told us that: “For the Volvo FL Electric we have chosen an electric motor with a maximum power rating of 130kW. The Volvo FE Electric has dual electric motors for a maximum power rating of 370kW and continuous power output of 260kW. Transmission to the driven wheels is via our two-speed gearbox, propshaft and rear axle.

“The battery capacity and battery packaging is flexible in order to always optimise and suit customers individual transport needs. Both trucks have up to 300kWh capacity, which is more than sufficient for a demanding day’s work in urban conditions.

Asked what payload we can expect, Thordén said that in round figures an electric truck with four batteries carries about one tonne less payload than its diesel-driven counterpart. But it all comes down to the application.

“The Volvo FL Electric trucks that will operate in Gothenburg, for instance, have just three batteries since battery capacity has been optimised to maximise payload on the particular routes where the trucks will operate,” she said.

The start of series production is planned for March 2020.