Trucks
From city distribution to construction, garbage collection, hub-to-hub delivery and even long-haul, Volvo electric trucks can already be seamlessly integrated into many transport operations.
“Today, Volvo has an electric truck for almost every conceivable job. Our ability to duplicate the trucks our customers use with an electric version is a strength of Volvo Trucks,” says Henrik Mooi, a key account manager at Volvo Trucks.
“This is possible due to the flexibility to tailor our trucks to suit your needs, as well as our extensive network experience and close collaborations with the companies that build the bodies,” he adds.
Volvo already has electric trucks operational in most transport segments, including highly specialist and demanding environments. That includes concrete mixers, tippers, as well as crane and garbage trucks. Together they have covered close to 300 million kilometres in real life operations. With the same driver attraction, safety and connected services for planning routes and maintenance as a conventional truck.
Henrik, who manages the electric transition for fleet customers with more than 200 trucks, calls it a pioneering approach. Equally important to customers is how Volvo Trucks has applied its extensive track record in the industry when manufacturing its electric models. “My customers choose Volvo because of our experience in electric mobility,” he says.
Is electric the future of long-haul trucking?
While Volvo electric trucks are capable of handling multiple heavy city assignments and regional line-to-line routes, in the past they were compromised in long-haul transportation due to range and charging speed. Henrik, who speaks regularly with his customers about their electric needs, said many of them wished for more range to allow for spontaneous long-haul journeys.
Henrik explains that a truck could theoretically cover about 315 km during a typical driving shift of four and a half hours at an average speed of 70 km/h. However, it’s not the first driving stint that limits the operation of an electric truck but rather the second that poses challenges.
“Currently, we have only limited charging infrastructure available along the routes for heavy-duty trucks to recharge enough energy for the second driving stint within the legal break time of 45 minutes,” he added.
That demand could be answered with the new Volvo FH Aero Electric with extended range. Capable of 600 km and with the ability for the batteries to be charged from 20-80 % in as little as 40 minutes, electric long-haul transportation is possible.
Previously for long-haul drivers of electric trucks, a degree of planning ahead has been an essential factor when charging their vehicle. The ability to know that your electric truck can handle longer journeys on a single charge is a significant benefit when it comes to convenience and the overall user experience.
“Take Germany as an example,” says Henrik. “The new FH Aero Electric would be able to cover the entire country with the drivers sleeping in the cab overnight while the truck charges. With our electric trucks, we want customers to maintain their current set-up and operation with as little impact as possible.”
With total cost of ownership (TCO) a major factor in determining the case for electric trucks – one that can vary regionally – Henrik believes that the more mileage you can cover, “the more interesting the case becomes”. And that’s an important factor to consider with the new Volvo FH Aero Electric, which is geared up for exactly this important consideration when the order book opens in 2026.
In fact, Volvo has a TCO calculator that allows customers to compare directly the merits of an electric truck with that of a diesel. “It’s a very powerful tool,” adds Henrik.
But the value of choosing a Volvo Truck goes beyond the truck itself. With Volvo Connect, customers can see state of charge, energy use, nearest charging stations and more data that helps them get the most value out of the truck. “We also offer My Truck, an app for drivers that lets them check the charge status of the truck from their phone,” explains Henrik. “It’s simple to use and is operated in a way that’s familiar to those who use similar applications in their electric passenger car.”
Additionally, with batteries being one of the most significant costs of owning an electric truck, Volvo’s pan-European Service Gold Contracts cover battery performance. “If the battery health drops below a threshold, we replace it at our cost,” says Henrik. “That’s one of the biggest risk mitigations for our customers.”
What do drivers think of electric trucks?
“Driver reaction to our trucks has been incredibly positive,” says Henrik of the Volvo Trucks model range. “They say that they are quiet, smooth and comfortable, and they handle and operate like a luxury passenger vehicle.”
“The trucks might have different drivelines, but as a driver you know how it works,” adds Henrik. “Drivers can continue to drive the same trucks when switching to electric.
Find out more about Volvo’s electric truck range here.
