Volvo in North America has announced it has launched an updated version of its zero emission VNR Electric which boasts an 85 per cent increase in its operating range.
The old version of Volvo’s VNR Electric which was only launched about two years ago in 2019 boasted a 240km range but the company claims the new model has an operational range of up to 440km and will use an improved battery design and a new six battery package option with faster charging.
The enhanced version of the Class 8 electric truck has an increased energy storage of up to 565kWh. and Volvo says the improved performance is due to, among other things, the improved and larger battery design.
Volvo says the new VNR Electric also reduces the required charging time, as the 250kW charging capability provides an 80 per cent charge in 90 minutes for the six-battery package, and 60 minutes for its four-battery version.
“It is a testament to Volvo Trucks’ leadership in a continuously evolving industry that we are bringing the enhanced version of our VNR Electric to the market only a year after sales of the VNR Electric first started,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America.
Globally, Volvo Trucks has set the target that half of all trucks sold will be electric by 2030.
“We are determined to lead the transformation of the transport industry,” commented Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks. “In only eight years’ time, our goal is that half of our global truck sales are electric. The interest among customers is high, and it’s quickly becoming a competitive advantage for transporters to be able to offer electric, sustainable transports. That is very encouraging.”
Volvo Trucks started series production of electric trucks in 2019, as one of the very first truck brands in the world. Its product range now includes six electric truck models—the Volvo FH, Volvo FM, Volvo FMX, Volvo FE, Volvo FL, and the Volvo VNR.
Production of the enhanced Volvo VNR Electric will start in Q2 2022 in the company’s New River Valley plant in Virginia.
