Volvo Trucks North America uses its own e-trucks in-house
Volvo Trucks North America is increasing the number of electric heavy-duty trucks serving its North American assembly plants. Together with four haulage partners, a total of 15 battery-electric Volvo VNR Electric trucks now commute to serve supplier logistics.
Specifically, the 15 electric trucks transport parts from four different suppliers to the New River Valley Assembly Operations (NRV) in Virginia and Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO) in Pennsylvania. The Volvo VNR Electric vehicles used are current generation vehicles that Volvo introduced in early 2022. They belong to US Class 8 and allow a range of up to 275 miles (about 443 kilometres).
Eight of the 15 vehicles are in operation between the company’s main plant (NRV) and three supplier companies several times a day. They are operated by Watsontown Trucking Company, Camrett Logistics and Online Transport in two shifts. Loading always takes place during the drivers’ 30-minute lunch break – on both the first and second shifts – and overnight at the end of the second shift. According to the American OEM, all three suppliers have installed their own charging infrastructure at their sites. The project initially started in 2021 with Watsontown Trucking Company and Camrett Logistics. The third haulage partner, Online Transport, joined a little later.
In December 2022, the concept was also transferred to Pennsylvania. Since then, freight forwarder Ryder System has been using seven VNR electric trucks to transport heavy-duty truck assembly kits to the Mack Trucks (LVO) plant’s equipment facility in Pennsylvania. The battery-electric trucks replace the diesel trucks that were previously on the route.
“We believe in leading by example, and this project is an important part of our strategy to create a world-class, sustainable transport system ,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “By collaborating with our local carrier partners to deploy our own zero-tailpipe emission VNR Electric trucks to service our plants, we are able to improve sustainability within our value chain and in the communities in which our own employees work and families live.”
“What better demonstration of the effectiveness of these trucks than having your own battery-electric trucks delivering through the entrance gates at both Volvo assembly plants?” added Daniel Vahlberg, sourcing and commodity leader at Volvo Group Truck Operations. “We are excited to partner with the fleets that were already servicing our plants to incorporate the Volvo VNR Electric trucks into their daily operations to create a full sustainable supply chain circle.”
Volvo Trucks North America is part of Volvo Trucks and headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, with a network of nearly 400 authorized dealers across North America. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, a global manufacturer of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines.
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