VTNA Debuts VNL Electric in Evolution of Class 8 Flagship
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DUBLIN, Va. — Volvo Trucks North America provided a first glimpse of the next configuration of its flagship Class 8 VNL tractor — a VNL 440 Electric — during a media event for reporters at its customers center.
The truck maker on June 20 debuted a pre-production model of the regional haul semi, a 42-inch midroof sleeper model that represents an advancement for its BEV portfolio in North America and the first version of the VNL without an internal combustion engine.
The redesigned VNL launched in January and will serve as the platform for the Swedish original equipment manufacturer’s over-the-road range in North America, with hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen-injection internal combustion engines also planned.
Orders for the VNL Electric are expected to open in the last couple of months of 2025 or at the beginning of 2026, VTNA Vice President of Strategy, Marketing and Brand Management Magnus Koeck told Transport Topics on the sidelines of the event.
Volvo debuted a pre-production model of the regional haul semi. (Keiron Greenhalgh/Transport Topics)
The trucks will be built at VTNA’s New River Valley plant, which underwent a $400 million revamp ahead of the launch of the VNL, said Koeck.
Each VNL Electric will use proprietary e-axles, he said.
Batteries for the trucks will be supplied by the manufacturing plants once part of the Proterra group, Koeck told TT. VTNA parent Volvo Group bought battery manufacturer Proterra Powered in November for $210 million after its parent company filed for bankruptcy in August.
The battery production plant is located in Greer, S.C.
VTNA’s current battery-electric range consists of five VNR Electric models: a 4x2 straight truck, a 6x4 straight truck, a 4x2 tractor, a 6x2 tractor and a 6x4 tractor.
@TransportTopics' @MichaelVFreeze and I secured exclusive shots of @VolvoTrucksNA's upcoming VNL 440 Electric semi in Dublin, VA, today! pic.twitter.com/gy0Ji3XslB — Keiron Greenhalgh (@kginalex) June 20, 2024
At the moment, VTNA customers can order six configurations of the VNL: the VNL 300 day cab, the 440, the VNL 640 62-inch midroof sleeper, the VNL 660 62-inch full-height sleeper, the VNL 840 74-inch midroof sleeper and the VNL 860 74-inch full-height sleeper.
VTNA opened the order book for a diesel-powered version of the new VNL in April. Production is expected to start later this summer and deliveries will start in the fourth quarter.
The VNL was first publicly showcased at the 2024 Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition in March. TMC is part of American Trucking Associations.
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