Volvo to Test Electric Trucks in Europe
[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]
Volvo Trucks announced it has developed electric concept trucks for construction operations and regional distribution.
Volvo Trucks’ plan for electric heavy-duty trucks for construction and regional distribution is to have selected customers in Europe pilot a small number of future electric vehicles. More extensive commercialization will follow at a later point, according to the company, a unit of Volvo Group of Gothenburg, Sweden.
We’re presenting two new heavy-duty electric concept trucks designed for the construction and regional haulage industries. https://t.co/tEhgdou2bZ pic.twitter.com/D44fFyI83L
— Volvo Trucks (@VolvoTrucks) December 13, 2019
“In Europe there is an enormous number of trucks used for regional goods transport that have an average annual mileage of 80,000 km [49,709 miles]. This means that increased use of electric vehicles for regional distribution would result in significant climate gains, provided the electricity is fossil-free,” Lars Mårtensson, director of environment and innovation at Volvo Trucks, said in a release.
The speed of electrification will depend on a number of factors, he said.
Extensive expansion of the charging infrastructure is needed, as is ensuring regional power networks can deliver sufficient transfer capacity in the long term. Financial incentives are necessary. Shippers “can also contribute by offering longer contracts and being more willing to pay for sustainable transports. Many haulage operators have very small margins, so every new investment must be profitable,” Mårtensson added. — Transport Topics
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing:
