WattEV ordered 50 Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric trucks to launch its Truck-as-a-Service (TaaS) model in California. WattEV provides shippers and carriers battery-electric trucks at a per-mile rate, including charging. With the Taas model, customers will experience similar costs as operating a diesel fleet. Over the next several months, the Volvo VNR Electric trucks will begin operating on routes between California’s San Joaquin Valley, Inland Empire, and the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, says Volvo Trucks applauds WattEV’s TaaS model, aiming to remove adoption barriers. “This type of innovative thinking is necessary to transform how the industry transports freight,” Voorhoeve says. “We look forward to collaborating with WattEV as they scale their TaaS fleet across California and the nation.”
To support its TaaS model, WattEV will build a public network of heavy-duty battery-electric truck charging depots. The depots will service major transportation corridors, connecting shipping ports with freight distribution centers as well as warehouse locations. WattEV’s first truck charging depots will be in Bakersfield, San Bernardino, as well as near the Port of Long Beach. They will feature 250kW CCS chargers to provide VNR Electric trucks an 80% charge in 90 minutes for the six-battery packs. Additionally, as WattEV’s charging network expands, it plans to scale its depots to provide 1.2 MW charging capability for ultra-fast charging.
Salim Youssefzadeh, WattEV CEO, says it thrills the company to purchase its first BEV Class 8 trucks from Volvo. “We are grateful to partner with an OEM that shares the same commitment to freight electrification throughout North America.”
SUPPORTING THE MOVEMENT
Volvo Trucks supports customers in their electromobility transition through its network of Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) Dealerships. These dealerships train and equip service teams to safely perform battery-electric truck maintenance and repairs. Additionally, the dealerships keep a stock of key VNR Electric parts to minimize downtime. Volvo Trucks currently has certified dealers in California, New York, and Virginia, as well as in Quebec, Canada. Dealerships in several additional states will also finalize their certifications throughout 2022. TEC Equipment Fontana—the first Volvo Certified EV Dealer in the nation—facilitated WattEV’s VNR Electric order. The dealership also offers onsite charging for its customers.
“It is rewarding to see the momentum building for battery-electric truck adoption, and TEC Equipment is committed to continue supporting fleets like WattEV with their electric truck procurement plans, including identifying and securing incentive funding,” says David Thompson, founder and CEO of TEC Equipment in reference to his team’s support helping WattEV secure vouchers from California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP).
Volvo designed the Volvo VNR Electric model as a sustainable transportation solution for local and regional distribution, pickup and delivery, as well as food and beverage distribution. The models ordered by WattEV are based on its six-battery package option featuring increased energy storage of 565 kWh as well as an operational range of up to 275 miles.
Find out more, visit www.volvotrucks.us.
