At an exclusive event at the TEC Equipment dealership in Fontana, California, Volvo Trucks offered a first look at its North American Class 8 battery-electric project trucks.

By utilising existing electromobility technology within the Volvo Group, the company has been able to integrate those technologies into its existing North American VNR model.

The pilot demonstration was part of the Volvo Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions (LIGHTS) project, a collaboration between 15 public and private partners to demonstrate the viability of all-electric freight hauling in high-density traffic and urban areas. Volvo Group contributed $36.7 million of the project total of $90 million.

Peter Voorhoeve, President of Volvo Trucks North America said, “The Volvo LIGHTS project demonstrates that for the entire endeavour to come together, it takes more than just the truck. It’s the delivery of the complete eco-system for zero-emission, heavy-duty transport, and taking responsibility for that ecosystem. You can only achieve this by having a common goal, fully integrated collaboration amongst all stakeholders, and agreeing to be pioneers together.”

The Volvo VNR Electric project trucks will be put into real-world commercial operations with two of California’s leading freight companies, Dependable Supply Chain Services and NFI.

Volvo will begin the first phase of serial production in late 2020.

Photo: Volvo Trucks offered a first look at its North American Class 8 battery-electric project trucks.