Volvo to Sell All-Electric Heavy Trucks in North America in 2020

Volvo Trucks, the world's second largest heavy truck manufacturer in 2016, "announced it would commercialize all-electric trucks in North America in 2020 after introducing them in California next year, a move made in conjunction with a partnership that includes Volvo Group, California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District and industry leaders in transportation and electrical charging infrastructure," reports Roger Gilroy of Transport Topics.

The Class 8 (aka semi-trailer trucks) all-electric "demonstration" trucks will be used in three cities in San Bernardino County: Ontario, Chino, Fontana; and Placentia (Orange County).

“This is yet another important step towards our vision zero emissions. We are convinced that electrified truck transport will be a key driver of sustainable transports, and we’re proud to contribute the Volvo Group’s expertise to this innovative public-private partnership,” Volvo Trucks President Claes Nilsson said in a statement.

As noted in a July post about another large zero-emission vehicle, a fuel cell-powered ferry, the state's cap-and-trade revenues were instrumental.

On July 26, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced up to $205 million in grants, mostly from California Climate Investments – using proceeds from the state’s landmark Cap-and-Trade program for projects designed to accelerate the adoption of clean freight technologies and reduce air pollution caused by the movement of goods throughout the state. Among the 11 projects listed:

#3: Volvo Low-Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions (LIGHTS): The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) will receive $44.8 million to deploy 23 Class 8 Volvo battery electric trucks and 24 zero-emission forklifts, along with 58 heavy-duty fast chargers and other related equipment. Partner match: $45.9 million.

There are 15 partners, in addition to SCAQMD, to share the above match. 

"The demonstration units will be based on the technology being used in the Volvo FE Electric, which Volvo Trucks presented in May and will begin selling in Europe next year," adds Gilroy. "The FE Electric was designed for heavier city distribution and refuse transport operations."

According to Gothenburg, Sweden-based Volvo Trucks, the demonstration project "will reduce an estimated 3.57 tons of criteria pollutants (defined air pollutants) and 3,020 tons of greenhouse gases annually."

Related in Planetizen:

• Tesla's 'Badass' Electric Semi Beats Diesel and Rail, Says Elon Musk, November 20, 2017 
  Tesla introduces a high-performance, totally electric, semi-autonomous truck that can haul 80,000 pounds of freight for 500 miles without recharging.
• Volvo Makes History in Embrace of Electric Vehicle Technology, July 6, 2017
  In a major announcement that could shake-up the auto industry, Volvo Cars declared it will initiate a gradual divorce from autos solely powered by internal combustion in two years. 
• The Greening of Large Trucks Begins at California's Ports, May 9, 2016 
  Three truck manufacturers and electric truck builder BYD Motors are now in competition thanks to a $23.6 million state grant to the South Coast Air District.