Volvo Trucks North America delivered its first Class 8, battery-electric regional hauling truck on the East Coast to its customer Manhattan Beer Distributors. Five zero-emission Volvo VNR Electric trucks join the New York City-based beer and beverage distributors’ fleet. The fleet already consists of 400-plus delivery trucks that service customers throughout New York City, Long Island, and surrounding counties. The company commemorated the delivery with an event co-hosted by the NYC Department of Transportation at its Bronx warehouse.
“Volvo Trucks commends Manhattan Beer Distributors for continuing two decades of leadership in bringing the most advanced and sustainable commercial trucks to New York City,” says Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “By working together with customers like Manhattan Beer Distributors that are dedicated to reducing their environmental impact, Volvo Trucks has been able to make meaningful progress on the path toward widescale commercial deployment of VNR Electrics from coast to coast.”
MORE THAN 2 DECADES IN THE MAKING
With a goal to reduce the company’s environmental impact, Manhattan Beer Distributors began building its low-emission fleet in the ‘90s. Today, the fleet includes more than 160 Volvo VNR and VNL CNG Class 8 trucks. Five new Volvo VNR Electrics will soon join them. To support the fleet, Manhattan Beer Distributors installed three Level 3 DC fast chargers at its Bronx facility. These fast chargers can fully recharge Volvo VNR Electric trucks up to 80% in 70 minutes. Additionally, Manhattan Beer Distributors’ battery-electric trucks were the first Volvo VNR Electric models to enter full serial production. Production began at Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley manufacturing plant in Dublin, Virginia.
Simon Bergson is the founder, president, and CEO of Manhattan Beer Distributors; one of the largest beverage distributors in the nation. Bergson says that the company recognizes the impact it could make by eliminating its fleet’s tailpipe emissions. He adds that Volvo’s truck lineup provides the reliability, safety, and performance Manhattan Beer Distributors expects. “We look forward to gaining hands-on experience with our first five VNR Electrics,” Bergson says. The company also looks forward to working with the local Volvo Trucks dealership to expand its zero-emission fleet, Bergson concludes.
PARTNERING TO CREATE SUSTAINABILITY 
Manhattan Beer Distributors helped spur the development of a regional sales and service network for the Volvo VNR Electric model. Volvo Trucks dealership Milea Truck Sales and Leasing led the development. Additionally, Milea, serving New York City and the tri-state area, is Volvo Trucks’ first East Coast Volvo EV Certified Dealer. It will consult fleets in the region considering investing in the Volvo VNR Electric. The dealership installed heavy-duty-capable charging infrastructure on-site. Further, its service team can safely perform battery-electric truck maintenance and repairs.
“As a Volvo EV Certified Dealer, Milea is proud to partner with Volvo Trucks to bring their first battery-electric Class 8 regional-haul trucks to New York and support the ongoing deployment of Volvo VNR Electrics for local and regional distribution, pickup and delivery, and food and beverage distribution in the region,” says Barry Milea, president of Milea Truck Sales and Leasing. “With the deployment of these VNR Electric models, Milea looks forward to continuing its long-standing support of Manhattan Beer Distributors in achieving its fleet sustainability goals while maximizing vehicle uptime and efficiency.”
VNR ELECTRIC FUNDING
Further, Manhattan Beer Distributors secured truck funding from New York’s Volkswagen settlement funds through the NYC Department of Transportation’s (NYC DOT) NYC Clean Trucks Program. New York State’s Volkswagen settlement plan, Clean Transportation NY, was developed to reduce emissions in major transportation corridors, including Hunts Point, by funding zero-emission vehicles and equipment.
“This summer, the subjects of infrastructure and climate change are on everyone’s minds as we witness extreme weather events with increasing frequency all around the world,” says NYC DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “This is the perfect time to focus on the importance of transitioning to electric-zero emission trucks. We are so pleased that in partnership with New York State, DOT’s NYC Clean Trucks Program was able to provide funds to support Manhattan Beer Distributors’ investment in Volvo VNR Electric trucks. In addition to great lager and ale, these new trucks will deliver cleaner air and quieter streets.”
CHARGING AHEAD
Finally, Tritium and AMPLY Power will provide the charging infrastructure for Manhattan Beer Distributors. Tritium’s DC fast chargers, managed by AMPLY Power’s OMEGA charge management software, will charge the vehicles. The OMEGA platform will ensure that energy costs remain low while guaranteeing maximum uptime and performance for the trucks.
“Fleet electrification comes with its own set of unique challenges, requiring new technologies, operating practices and systems to deploy EVs effectively and manage the associated charging costs efficiently,” says Vic Shao, CEO and founder of AMPLY Power. “With the help of our charge management software, OMEGA, Manhattan Beer will have the peace of mind that its fleet of electric delivery trucks is charged and ready for each shift with reduced costs and no delays.”
Find out more, visit www.volvotrucks.us.
Photos courtesy of AMPLY Power
