Volvo Trucks North America deployed its first pilot VNR Electric truck in California. The pilot is part of the Volvo LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions) project. Volvo’s LIGHTS project is a collaboration with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) and 13 other organizations to develop a successful introduction of battery-electric trucks and equipment into the market.
The first pilot VNR Electric truck will operate at the Volvo Trucks North America TEC Equipment dealership in Fontana, California. The zero-emission truck will transport local parts between the TEC Equipment dealerships in Fontana and La Mirada.
“Volvo Trucks is proud to lead the way in the sustainable electrification of freight movement. Working with our dealership, TEC Equipment, to pilot the first Volvo VNR Electric on the road and in real-world applications is an exciting step toward our plans to commercialize these zero-emission trucks in North America this fall,” says Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “The all-electric Volvo VNR will become the ideal truck model for short- and regional-haul applications, such as urban distribution and drayage.”
The TEC Fontana dealership has two 50 kW chargers inside its maintenance bays. It also has a 150 kW charger located outside to enable fleet customers to fast charge at the dealership. Over the past year, Volvo LIGHTS worked with the local utility and San Bernardino County to install the high-power infrastructure.
TESTING IT OUT
In 2021, Southern California businesses will have opportunities to lease and gain experience with VNR Electric trucks in their fleet.
“Everyone on my team that has had an opportunity to drive the Volvo VNR Electric has been surprised by how smooth the truck operates,” says Mike Reardon, general manager of TEC Equipment’s Fontana dealership.
TEC’s Fontana team will also be fully trained and equipped to safely perform maintenance for its fleet customers. Technicians received training for proper service repairs and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for working with high voltage
“We are proud that our Fontana dealership will be first in in North America to pilot the Volvo VNR Electric model,” says Dave Thompson, president and CEO of TEC Equipment. “Through the Volvo LIGHTS project, we are gaining valuable hands-on experience for our drivers and maintenance staff to ensure that we are well prepared to support the wide scale deployment of these advanced, zero-emission trucks throughout the Southern California freight corridor.”
Additionally, two local fleet operators—NFI Industries and Dependable Supply Chain Services—will demonstrate the pilot Volvo VNR Electric trucks. These fleets will use the electric trucks for full operations in their regional routes later this summer.
MADE POSSIBLE BY…
Part of California Climate Investments (CCI), CARB awarded $44.8M to South Coast AQMD to make Volvo LIGHTS possible. CCI puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars toward reducing emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment.
As a result, South Coast AQMD contributed $4M and awarded a $45.6M contract to Volvo Group to implement the project. Volvo and its partners also promised a matching contribution, increasing the total value to over $91M for the project.
“Volvo has enthusiastically embraced the challenge of deploying, supporting, and promoting these state-of-the-art vehicles, which will not only provide significant fuel savings but will also benefit communities along transport corridors,” syas Sydney Vergis, assistant chief of CARB’s Mobile Source Division. “These quiet, zero-emission vehicles are a big step in the right direction on a path toward cleaner air and a better quality of life.”
COMMUNITY EFFORT
Volvo LIGHTS also includes partnerships with Rio Hondo College and San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) to create preparation programs. These include vehicle repair and service technician programs for the region’s workforce and the introduction of battery-electric freight trucks. Additionally, the colleges have already begun introducing the curriculum in the classroom and enrolling students for the fall.
“The Rio Hondo College Automotive Technology Program will enable students to earn a degree specific to heavy-duty, battery-electric truck maintenance to promote the region’s workforce development,” says John Frala, professor and coordinator of alternative fuels and electric vehicles at Rio Hondo College. “The programs being designed at Rio Hondo and SBVC through the Volvo LIGHTS project are critical to sustain this project long after the initial trucks have hit the roads.”
Rio Hondo and SBVC are also working with Volvo LIGHTS to design a program with fire departments within the community. This is an effort to ensure first responders are prepared in case of an incident involving a heavy-duty battery-electric vehicle.
For insight into the project, join the 2020 Inland Empire Regional Mobility Dialogue Series, “Getting Ready for Electric Commercial Fleet.”
The event, held virtually on June 23 at 8 am PT, is hosted by the Leonard Transportation Center. Registration is complimentary. To register, visit https://bit.ly/RMDS-Jun23.
Find out more about the Volvo LIGHTS project, visit www.lightsproject.com.
