Volta Zero now in series production
Volta Trucks has confirmed that series production of the 16-tonne all-electric Volta Zero has begun at Steyr Automotive, the company’s Austria-based contract manufacturing partner.
Order books for the inaugural Volta Zero are now open, and the first series production customer-specification vehicles have now entered the production line.
The initial batch of vehicles will be used for the Volta Zero Driving Experience Programme. This test drive programme, where customers will be loaned a truck for an extended period, will allow fleet operators to understand how the production-specification all-electric medium-duty truck will integrate into their operations.
Following the start of production, the trucks produced will undergo rigorous and extensive quality assurance and testing, says Volta, with the first trucks ordered by customers expected to be dispatched in Q3, 2023.
Steyr Automotive has reserved a capacity of up to 14,000 vehicles per year for Volta Trucks from its total available production. Volta will ramp up production volumes over the coming years to maximise this opportunity and during this time, it says manufacturing the Volta Zero will potentially create over 700 jobs and a further estimated 2,000 positions within the supply chain.
Co-founder and chief manufacturing and logistics officer of Volta Trucks, Kjell Walöen, said: “The first full production Volta Zero going into the production line here at Steyr is the most substantial milestone the company has achieved to date.
“In just 2.5 years, less than half the time existing truck manufacturers take, we have moved from launching a concept, through the engineering, development and quality phases and now the start of production of the final specification models that will be driven by customers, making our urban environments safer and more sustainable.
“The industry-leading pace to market set by Volta Trucks is a true testament to the highly skilled and driven professionals in the company and our partners, and the whole team is extremely proud of this milestone moment.”
The company recently received European whole vehicle type approval (ECWVTA) for the 16-tonne Volta Zero vehicle, which allows it to produce and sell the model in volume, having demonstrated that all vehicles meet relevant environmental, safety and security standards.
The Volta Zero is a completely new all-electric commercial vehicle, which has been developed to meet the demands of zero-tailpipe emission urban distribution.
Volta also recently confirmed the expansion of the brand’s Truck as a Service (TaaS) Hub network in Europe with two new sites in Duisburg, Germany, and Madrid in Spain. Both locations will be offering comprehensive customer support, training, maintenance, and servicing to the trucks operating in those markets, with the Hubs scheduled to open soon.
Like the existing Hubs in Paris and London, the Madrid and Duisburg Hubs will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a range of the latest chargers, says Volta, to meet the charging needs of the Volta Zero alongside other LCVs and passenger cars.
