Volvo Trucks is expanding its new line of electric vehicles with the Volvo FE Electric only three weeks after unveiling its first all-electric truck, the Volvo FL.
The FE model is designed for heavier city distribution and refuse transport operations with gross weights of up to 27 tonnes (29.8 tons).
The company expects to commence sales in Europe next year.
“With the introduction of the Volvo FE Electric, we have a comprehensive range of electrically powered trucks for city operations and are taking yet another strategic step forward in the development of our total offer in electrified transport solutions,” said Claes Nilsson, president of Volvo Trucks.
“This opens the door to new forms of cooperation with cities that target to improve air quality, reduce traffic noise and cut congestion during peak hours, since commercial operations can instead be carried out quietly and without tail-pipe exhaust emissions early in the morning or late at night.”
The first Volvo FE Electric, a refuse truck with a superstructure developed together with Europe’s leading refuse collection bodybuilder, Faun, is expected to start operating later this year in Germany’s second-largest city, Hamburg.
“Hamburg, which in 2011 was named European Green Capital of the EU, has worked long and successfully on a broad front to enhance green and sustainable urban development,” said Jonas Odermalm, product line vice president for the Volvo FL and FE.
“This applies not least in the transport sector, where electrified buses from Volvo are already being used in the public transport network. The experiences and ambitions from this venture make Hamburg a highly interesting partner for us.”
Dr. Rüdiger Siechau, CEO of Stadtreinigung Hamburg, sees potential for environmental benefits with electric trucks in the city.
“Today, each of our 300 conventional refuse vehicles emits approximately 31.300 kg carbon dioxide every year,” he said. “An electrically powered refuse truck with a battery that stands a full shift of eight to ten hours is a breakthrough in technology.”
Volvo will offer the FE Electric in several variants for different types of transport assignment.
“Our solutions for electrified transport are designed to suit the specific needs of each customer and each city,” Odermalm said. “In addition to the vehicles, we will offer everything from route analysis to services and financing via our network of dealers and workshops throughout Europe. We also have close partnerships with suppliers of charging infrastructure.”