Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) has received an order for 50 Volvo VNR Class 8 electric trucks from its loyal customer, WattEV, as Truck-as-a-Service (TaaS) in California, USA.
The WattEV TaaS model truck will provide shippers and operators with access to battery-electric trucks at a per-mile rate, including charging, which is equivalent to the total cost of operating a diesel truck.
Over the next few months, Volvo VNR Electric trucks are also rumored to be starting operations on routes between California's San Joaquin Valley, Inland Empire, and Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
President of Volvo Trucks North America, Peter Voorhoeve, said that Volvo Trucks has touted its unique approach with WattEV to accelerate fleet electrification through its TaaS model, which aims to remove potential bottlenecks so fleets of all sizes can gain access to Class 8 electric trucks and perform zero emission local and regional delivery.
“This type of innovative thinking is needed to change the way the industry transports goods, and we look forward to collaborating with WattEV as they scale their TaaS fleet across California and beyond.”
Meanwhile, to support its TaaS model, WattEV is building a public network of heavy-duty battery-electric truck charging depots to serve major transportation corridors to connecting shipping ports with goods distribution centers.
WattEV's first public truck charging depots will be in Bakersfield, San Bernardino and near Long Beach Harbor, and will feature a 250 kW CCS charger that will give Volvo VNR Electric trucks 80% power in 90 minutes for a six-battery pack.
As the WattEV public charging network expands nationwide, the company plans to increase its depot to provide 1.2 MW charging capability for ultra-fast charging.
“WattEV is excited to purchase our first battery-electric Class 8 truck from Volvo Trucks as they are rapidly increasing their electric truck supply and dealer support network across the country,” said Salim Youssefzadeh, CEO, WattEV.
The Volvo VNR electric truck ordered by WattEV is based on a six-battery package option featuring an increased energy storage of 565 kWh and an operational range of up to 275 miles (442 km).
“We are grateful to partner with an OEM who shares the same commitment to cargo electrification across North America,” concluded Salim.
