German trucking journalist Jan Burgdorf recently tested a fully-laden 490kW Volvo FH Electric truck, with a combination gross weight of 40 tonnes, on Germany’s Green Truck Route.

The 343 km long drive includes a variety of motorways, hilly terrains, and tighter roads used for testing different manufacturers’ trucks in a wide range of conditions.

The Volvo FH Electric kept an average speed of 80 km/h over the whole route, which was on a par with the Volvo FH equipped with a diesel engine and the fuel efficiency package I-Save. Based on the energy consumption of only 1.1 kWh/km, the electric truck had a total range of 345 km on one charge.

After driving the electric Volvo Jan Burgdorf said, “I have to say, when driving this truck it is as agile, or even more agile, than a diesel truck. Drivers will be very surprised about how easy it is to drive, how quiet it is and how well it responds. There are no vibrations whatsoever.”
 
Tobias Bergman, Press Test Director at Volvo Trucks added, “These test results show that it is possible to drive up to 500 km during a regular work-day, with a short stop for charging, for example during lunch time.” 

During the Green Truck Route tests, the Volvo FH Electric used 50% less energy than a Volvo FH with a comparable diesel engine.

The Volvo FH, FM and FMX Electric models have a GCW of up to 44 tonnes. Volvo says production will start in the second half of 2022.

Watch the video here.
 

Photo: Volvo FH Electric on the Green Truck Route