The Innovation Lab at Volvo Group is a place where Volvo Trucks can collaborate with start-ups. The collaborations combine real-world insights and analyze emerging trends. They also help validate new products and services aimed at helping customers improve both their economic and environmental sustainability goals.
AMPLY Power, a vehicle charging and energy management provider, joined the Innovation Lab as a member of the collaboration space.
At the Innovation Lab, ideas and collaborations often originate from the start-up community. For example, AMPLY shared insight into charging infrastructure challenges that could deter fleet operators from investing in a battery-electric fleet. In turn, Volvo shared insight from customers that have installed charging infrastructure to support the deployment of Volvo VNR Electrics.
ONGOING PROJECTS
Through ongoing collaboration, AMPLY Power and Volvo Trucks now have bi-coastal projects with two heavy-duty electric truck fleets. A notable customer working with the two companies is Manhattan Beer Distributors, one of the largest beverage distributors in the country and based in New York City.
“The goal of the Innovation Lab is to create a pathway where Volvo Group and start-ups can co-create and jointly validate new digital solutions and business propositions with Volvo Group stakeholders and customers,” says Fredy Daza, director of the Innovation Lab at Volvo Group Connected Solutions. “The Manhattan Beer Distributors project is a real-world example of how Volvo Group is accelerating advanced transportation solutions by collaborating with startups in the Silicon Valley ecosystem.”
Further, the Manhattan Beer deployment includes five Volvo VNR Electric models operating on routes with heavy payloads and return-to-base operations. The trucks have a range of 150 miles as well as a battery capacity of 264 kWh, taking 70 minutes to reach 80% charge. Further collaborations will be planned and announced as AMPLY and Volvo Trucks continue to deploy more electric vehicles.
Vic Shao, AMPLY Power CEO, says the collaboration offers a low-risk solution to deploying and scaling heavy-duty electric fleets. Customers need solutions offering guaranteed performance and uptime while also optimizing charging for lowest cost energy, he says.
Find out more, visit www.amplypower.com and www.volvotrucks.us.
