Volvo Trucks is getting ready to launch its first all-electric truck for commercial use. The Volvo FL Electric will go on sale in Europe in 2019.
The Swedish truck maker said the FL Electric will be primarily for urban distribution and refuse operations. Electric propulsion will help curb vehicle air pollution and, because of its reduced noise levels, the vehicle will be better suited for doing work at night.
“With this model we are making it possible for cities that aim for sustainable urban development to benefit from the advantages of electrified truck transports,” Volvo Trucks President Claes Nilsson said in a press release.
The company wants to ease the transition for customers from traditional propulsion to electric by offering a range of services around the truck. These include route analysis, battery optimization, help with charging, as well as the usual service and financing options. “The aim as always is to offer customers high uptime and productivity,” said Jonas Odermalm, head of product strategy for Volvo’s electric trucks.
Volvo Trucks is working closely with its sister company, Volvo Buses, which has already sold more than 4,000 electrified buses since 2010.
The FL electric will be powered by an electric motor with 185kW maximum power and 130kW continuous output. Its lithium-ion batteries will provide a driving range of up to 300km, Volvo said.
Using a DC charger, the truck can recharge fully depleted batteries in one-to-two hours. On a regular AC power outlet, recharging will take up to 10 hours.
