Just three weeks after the unveiling of Volvo Trucks’ first all-electric truck, the Volvo FL Electric, the company is expanding its product range with yet another electric truck. The Volvo FE Electric is designed for heavier city distribution and refuse transport operations with gross weights of up to 27 tonnes. Sales will commence in Europe in 2019.
"With the introduction of the Volvo FE Electric, we have a comprehensive range of electrically powered trucks for city operations. This opens the door to new forms of cooperation with cities that target to improve air quality, reduce traffic noise, and cut congestion during peak hours since commercial operations can instead be carried out quietly and without tale-pipe exhaust emissions early in the morning or late at night," says Claes Nilsson, President Volvo Trucks.
The Volvo FE Electric is available with a low-entry cab for convenient entry and exit and to give the driver an excellent visibility of surrounding traffic and vulnerable road users.
The first Volvo FE Electric, a refuse truck with a superstructure developed together with Europe's leading refuse collection bodybuilder, Faun, will start operating in early 2019 in Germany's second-largest city, Hamburg.
"Hamburg, which in 2011 was named European Green Capital of the EU has electrified buses from Volvo that are already being used in the public transport network. The experiences and ambitions from this venture make Hamburg a highly interesting partner for us," says Jonas Odermalm, Product Line Vice President for the Volvo FL and Volvo FE at Volvo Trucks.
The Volvo FE Electric has a Volvo developed driveline with twin electric motors producing a total maximum power output of 370 kW and continuous power output of 260 kW.
Dr Rüdiger Siechau, CEO of Stadtreinigung Hamburg, sees large potential for environmental benefits with electric trucks in the city and states, "Today, each of our 300 conventional refuse vehicles emit approximately 31.300 kg carbon dioxide every year. An electrically powered refuse truck with a battery that stands a full shift of eight to ten hours is a breakthrough in technology. Another benefit is the fact that Stadtreinigung Hamburg generates climate-neutral electricity that can be used to charge the batteries."
The new Volvo FE Electric is going to be offered in several variants for different types of transport assignment.
Also read:
Volvo Trucks launches its first all-electric truck
Volvo Cars to connect with Volvo Trucks to further reduce probabilities of accidents