Volvo will start selling electric trucks next year with ranges up to 150 miles

Just in case you didn’t know what all these truckers are doing at these relays you load up on combos and aged hot dogs, they mostly do things with fluids: eject very hot urine from their bladders and inject lukewarm diesel fuel into their trucks. Trucks, of course, use a lot of fuel and generate a lot of emissions. Volvo The new VNR electric truck will help alleviate at least the injection part of this equation, although the “up to 150 mile” range will likely limit these trucks to regional routes.

Production of electric trucks is scheduled for early 2021, in two main categories: a straight single-axle truck with a 33,200 lbs Gross Vehicle Weight Rating – think of something like a regional delivery truck, maybe one of those refrigerated trucks or a beer transporter.

The other configuration is a tractor truck – think a fat guy 18 wheeler – in a gross weight rating (GNP) of 4×2 / 66,000 lbs and a 6×2 with up to 82,000 GNP.

Volvo states that the 264 kWh lithium-ion batteries have an “operating range of up to 150 miles depending on the configuration of the truck,” which suggests they are targeting short-haul routes and makes me think the Delivery truck variant will likely see more use than the larger tractor setups.

The design and layout of the trucks are adapted from Volvo diesel machines, with the side fuel tanks replaced by large battery boxes. According to Volvo:

The safety criteria and advanced features of the Volvo VNR model are retained in the Volvo VNR Electric model, including the highest safety standards in the construction of the cab and chassis. The construction of the battery holder support system was also designed with these same safety standards in mind. The VNR Electric has the same best-in-class active safety systems as the VNR model. In addition, the specially designed battery location on the side of the vehicle as well as the air compressor under the driver’s door also improve serviceability.

Batteries can charge up to 80 percent in 70 minutes, and the powertrain develops 455 horsepower and 4,051 pound-feet of torque. Depending on the highly variable route and environmental conditions, Volvo claims that up to 15% of the battery power can be recovered through regenerative braking.

Electric trucks for regional routes make a lot of sense, and Volvo made some pretty great trucks