Volvo Trucks, boasting one of the largest electric truck line-ups in the industry, has unveiled a new long-distance electric truck, the FH Aero Electric, which it says will offer a driving range of 700 kilometres.
The Aero Electric reveal was the major part of an announcement that also included the next generation of the company’s heavy-duty Volvo FH, FM and FMX Electric trucks, which will all boast driving ranges of up to 470km.
The Aero Electric will feature energy-efficient batteries with an on-board energy of up to 540 kWh, and Usable Battery Energy (UBE) of up to 460 kWh. It will be able to power refrigeration units. It will also be capable of 700 kW charging rates, meaning it can be charged within the legislated rest period for truck drivers in the EU.
“This long-haul electric truck is the best in the industry,” said Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks.
“It offers an outstanding range in combination with high payload, fast charging and great riding comfort. With this truck, our customers can drive the really long distances and throughout an entire working day with the same productivity as diesel trucks.
“We stand firm in our belief that electric vehicles will deliver a large part of the world’s truck transport in the future. With the amazing performance of all our new trucks, it’s easy to see why.
“It has never been easier to replace diesel trucks with electric ones.”
Similarly, an all-new driveline that has been designed for maximum flexibility across different applications now forms the basis for the new FH, FM, and FMX Electric trucks.
Truck drivers will be able to not only drive the truck but also power auxiliary equipment such as a concrete mixer, hook lift, or refuse unit without extra motors or add-ons, thanks to an integrated gearbox power take-off (PTO) with increased functionality enabling usage during driving.
Each truck will now boast a driving range of up to 470km and can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in approximately 65 minutes. Maximum power of up to 540 kW (or 731 horsepower) enables total capacity of up to 65 tonnes GCW and a payload of up to 23.8 tonnes on the 4×2 tractor.
Finally, Volvo also announced that all its new electric trucks, including the FH Aero Electric, will be equipped with a gearbox optimised for electric transmission paired with dual motors to deliver smoother and more controlled performance.
These new powershift gearboxes – in eight-speed for the Volvo FH, FM, and FMX Electric, and six-speed for the FH Aero Electric – offer seamless gear shifting while producing less noise and vibration.
All of the new electric trucks will undergo a stepped rollout to markets starting this year.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.