New contender in electric truck market launches

By Categories: NewsPublished On: Saturday 12 September 2020

An Anglo-Swedish company has launched what it claims to be the first 16-tonne all-electric urban delivery truck to be designed and built as such from the ground up, rather than being an adaptation of an existing diesel model, following the announcement of pilot trials with parcels giant DPD in London early in 2021 (Transport Operator 92).

The Volta Zero is offered with an urban range of 150 – 200km (95 – 125 miles) and a payload of 8,600 kg in a body capable of handling up to 16 Euro pallets. A refrigerated body of identical volume, powered by the truck’s traction batteries, will also be available.

Lithium iron phosphate batteries are used in place of the nickel cobalt manganese set up used in most passenger cars: a modular design allows operators to find the best compromise between range and payload. Unlike nickel cobalt manganese, the lithium iron phosphate batteries do not present a fire hazard if punctured, and contain no precious metals.

Designing the vehicle from scratch has enabled Volta to specify an e-axle: the traction motor is contained within the drive axle, so there is no propshaft. Batteries can therefore be held in a protected location between the chassis rails.

This compact design also enables the truck’s low cab height, with a central swivelling driver’s seat, allowing easy egress to either side. The driver’s eyeline will be at a height of around 1.8 metres, providing class-leading visibility backed by electronic systems including a reversing camera.

Exterior cab and body panels are made from a woven flax material produced by specialist supplier Bcomp of Switzerland, which provides similar materials to motorsport.

It is claimed to be almost as strong as carbonfibre, and is finished with a natural resin derived from rapeseed oil. At end of life, it can be safely incinerated in power stations.

Combined with an internal steel spaceframe, the cab is claimed to be as crash resistant as a comparable conventional steel cab structure.

Volta, which is headquartered in Sweden but has its engineering and manufacturing operation located in London, will be offering a Truck as a Service option to enable smaller operators to use the vehicle. A single monthly charge will cover the vehicle and all its servicing, maintenance, insurance and training requirements, including a replacement Volta Zero when needed, maximising the uptime and operational efficiency of the vehicle.

Parts count is reduced by 90 per cent compared to a conventional diesel; as a result, Volta says it is targeting the same total cost of ownership as equivalent diesel vehicles.