New Volvo electric trucks offer extended range

Volvo Trucks has announced its latest electric models, citing improvements in performance and flexibility and ranges up to 700 km. They are expected to be rolled out step-by-step to markets starting this year.

A new long-distance electric truck, the Volvo FH Aero Electric with extended range, is said to be capable of driving up to 700km on one charge. This is due to the new e-axle driveline technology, says Volvo, which creates space for significantly increased battery capacity on the vehicle.

The FH Aero Electric is also adapted to the new Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard, and can charge eight batteries from 20 to 80 per cent in around 50 minutes.

Meanwhile, the heavy-duty Volvo FH, FM and FMX Electric trucks are said to offer major improvements in flexibility, productivity, driving comfort and ranges up to 470 km. They can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in around 65 minutes.

The FH, FM and FMX Electric also have a new driveline designed to maximise flexibility across applications, and are engineered so trucks can power auxiliary equipment such as concrete mixers, hook lifts or refuse units without additional motors or add-ons. This is thanks to an integrated gearbox power take-off (PTO) with increased functionality, enabling usage while driving.

All the new trucks feature a gearbox optimised for electric transmission, and dual motors to deliver a more controlled and smoother performance. Volvo says the new powershift gearboxes (eight-speed on the FH, FM and FMX Electrics and six-speed on the FH Aero Electric) offer seamless gear shifts and reduced vibration and noise.

Range figures for all the new vehicles depend on factors such as weather, wind resistance, total weight and driver performance.

Roger Alm, president at Volvo Trucks, said: “We’re really sharpening our offering here. We are broadening it and making electric solutions possible for an even wider range of transport assignments, and also adding a cutting-edge electric truck with a range of up to 700 km.

“This means we can fully match the business needs of our customers. It has never been easier to replace diesel trucks with electric ones.

“We stand firm in our belief that electric vehicles will deliver a large part of the world’s truck transport in the future. With the amazing performance of all our new trucks, it’s easy to see why.”

Of the FH Aero Electric, Mr Alm said: “It offers an outstanding range in combination with high payload, fast charging and great riding comfort. With this truck, our customers can drive really long distances and throughout an entire working day with the same productivity as diesel trucks.”

He added: “The next-generation FH, FM and FMX Electric are packed with new smart functions, they offer great driver comfort and make zero tailpipe emissions transport available for a very wide range of transport assignments.”