Volvo Delivers Electric Class 8 Truck to New York Metro Area

Manhattan Beer Distributors makes a delivery in New York City in a Volvo VNR Electric model. (Volvotrucks.com)

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Volvo Trucks North America has delivered its first electric-powered Class 8 truck on the East Coast to New York-based Manhattan Beer Distributors.

The battery-electric truck is the first of five VNR Electric models that will be joining the beverage distributor’s fleet of more than 400 trucks, which deliver beer in the greater New York City area.

“By working together with customers like Manhattan Beer Distributors that are dedicated to reducing their environmental impact, Volvo Trucks has been able to make meaningful progress on the path toward wide-scale commercial deployment of VNR Electrics from coast to coast,” VTNA President Peter Voorhoeve said in the Aug. 12 announcement.

A Volvo VNR Electric model can take a battery charge of up to 80% in 70 minutes. (Volvotrucks.com)

Volvo’s first electric trucks in New York signal the growing opportunities for fleets to introduce electric trucks in regions beyond California, which has been the nation’s primary incubation zone for the development and deployment of electric commercial vehicles.

We're so thrilled for these impressive, efficient beauties to hit our service area. Delivering very soon to an MBD partner near you!  https://t.co/UBTDEVorr2 — Manhattan Beer (@manhattanbeer) August 11, 2021

“As one of the largest beverage distributors in the U.S., Manhattan Beer Distributors recognizes the broad sustainability impact that we can make by eliminating our fleet’s tailpipe emissions,” said Simon Bergson, the beverage distributor’s founder and CEO. “We look forward to gaining hands-on experience with our first five VNR Electrics and working with Volvo Trucks and local Volvo Trucks dealership Milea Truck Sales and Leasing to continue expanding our zero-emission fleet.”

Manhattan Beer Distributors’ new electric trucks were the first VNR Electrics to roll off the assembly line since the model entered full serial production at Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley plant in Dublin, Va.

To charge the electric trucks, Manhattan Beer Distributors has installed three Level 3 DC fast chargers at its Bronx facility. That equipment can recharge the VNR Electric to 80% in 70 minutes, VTNA said.

Manhattan Beer Distributors secured funding for its Volvo VNR Electrics from New York state’s Volkswagen settlement plan through the New York City Department of Transportation’s NYC Clean Trucks program.

“This summer, the subjects of infrastructure and climate change are on everyone’s minds as we witness extreme weather events, with increasing frequency, all around the world,” said New York City DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “This is the perfect time to focus on the importance of transitioning to electric, zero-emission trucks.”

In addition to its new battery-electric trucks, Manhattan Beer Distributors has deployed other alternative-fuel vehicles in its fleet. The company currently operates more than 160 Volvo VNR and VNL Class 8 trucks powered by compressed natural gas.

Meanwhile, Volvo Trucks dealership Milea Truck Sales and Leasing is leading the development of a sales and service network for the Volvo VNR Electric in the region. Milea, which serves New York City and the tri-state area, is Volvo Trucks’ first Volvo EV certified dealer on the East Coast. The dealership has installed heavy-duty charging infrastructure on-site and has trained and equipped its technicians to safely perform battery-electric truck maintenance and repairs.

“As a Volvo EV certified dealer, Milea is proud to partner with Volvo Trucks to bring their first battery-electric Class 8 regional-haul trucks to New York and support the ongoing deployment of Volvo VNR Electrics for local and regional distribution, pickup and delivery, and food and beverage distribution in the region,” said Barry Milea, president of Milea Truck Sales and Leasing.

On the West Coast, several major U.S. trucking companies and private fleet operators have deployed Volvo VNR Electric models in California through the Volvo LIGHTS project.

These fleets include trucking and warehousing providers NFI Industries and Dependable Highway Express, less-than-truckload carrier Saia Inc., grocery chain Albertsons Cos. and food service carrier Quality Custom Distribution.

Volvo LIGHTS, which stands for Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions, is a collaboration among VTNA, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and 12 other organizations to build the ecosystem necessary to support the broad introduction of battery-electric trucks.

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