American start-up company WattEV has placed an order for 50 Volvo VNR Electric trucks.

Over the next several months, the trucks will be deployed in WattEV’s Truck-as-a-Service model (TaaS). TaaS provides shippers and carriers access to Class 8 battery-electric trucks at a per-mile rate, including charging, that is on par with the total cost of operating diesel trucks.

“Volvo Trucks applauds WattEV’s unique approach to accelerating fleet electrification through its Truck-as-a-Service model, which aims to remove potential barriers to adoption so that fleets of all sizes can get access to electric trucks and perform local and regional delivery with zero-tailpipe emissions,” said Peter Voorhoeve, President of Volvo Trucks North America.

 To support its TaaS model, WattEV is building a public network of battery-electric truck charging depots to service major transportation corridors in California. The first public charging depots will feature 250 kW CCS chargers that will provide the Volvo VNR Electric trucks an 80% charge in 90 minutes for the six-battery packs. WattEV plans to expand the public charging network across the US and will scale its depots to provide 1.2 MW charging capability for ultra-fast charging.

 Volvo Trucks was the market leader in heavy electric trucks in 2021 in Europe with a market share of 42% and also has a leading position in North America. With a total of six electric truck models in production as of this year, Volvo Trucks has the most complete electric line up in the global truck industry, covering everything from city distribution and refuse handling, to construction transports and regional haulage.

Photo: 50 Volvo VNR Electrics will be offered as Truck-as-a-Service.