Volta Trucks, a full-electric commercial transport vehicle manufacturer, has begun trial-testing of its Volta Zero.
The prototype, is being hailed by Volta as the world’s first full-electric 16-tonne vehicle purposely designed for inner-city logistics, thereby reducing the environmental impact of freight deliveries, as it continues to fuel its “Road to Zero Emissions” campaign for the U.S. market.
If proven feasible for freight deliveries, it is easy to see how the same technologies can be applied within the service truck industry—especially as President Biden reaffirmed the country’s goal of achieving net zero GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions by 2050 to tackle climate change.
Designed from the ground up, the Volta Truck has a range of 150-200 kilometers (95-125 miles), with an expected carbon dioxide impact of 1.2M tonnes by 2025.
As for safety, because there is no internal combustion engine, the driver of the Volta Zero sits in the center, with a lower seat height than conventional trucks that adds to pedestrian safety. Along with a glass house-style cab, the driver is afforded a 220-degree view that minimizes blind spots.
Volta Trucks has offices in Sweden, France and the UK, and has partnered with multiple global leaders in the supply chain sector to develop the Zero.
Testing of the prototype Volta Zero truck set in Nuneaton, UK, will evaluate all the electromechanical and electrothermal capacities, including the Proterra-supplied battery, and the compact rear axle, electric motor and transmission eAxle from Meritor.
For the testing over the next few months, the prototype will use a flatbed so engineers can add to different levels and location of loads to test its weight-carrying capacity. The production vehicle will feature a cargo box design.
Ian Colins, Chief Product Officer of Volta Trucks said: “To have achieved this landmark moment in just eight months is a great example of the nimble and agile approach we have at Volta Trucks. We work at high pace to ensure that we can bring zero emission, full-electric commercial vehicles to market quickly, because our customers require vehicles as soon as possible. We need to go through a comprehensive and thorough development program, but the start of prototype testing is evidence that we are on track to deliver production vehicles, on time, by the end of next year.”
Future tests will include cold weather testing north of the Arctic Circle, and hot-weather testing in southern Europe. Further still, testing will then include evaluations by key customers who have previously declared the option to purchase the production trucks. Full scale release of the Volta Zero is expected late in 2022.
Company information may be found at: www.voltatrucks.com.