Volvo Trucks Receives Order of 50 Volvo VNR Electric Trucks for WattEV's Truck-as-a-Service Start Up

GREENSBORO, N.C., March 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Volvo Trucks North America's customer WattEV has ordered 50 Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric trucks to launch its unique Truck-as-a-Service (TaaS) model in California. WattEV's TaaS model provides shippers and carriers access to battery-electric trucks at a per-mile rate, including charging, that is on par with the total cost of operating diesel trucks. 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.

"Volvo Trucks applauds WattEV's unique approach to accelerating fleet electrification through its TaaS model, which aims to remove potential barriers to adoption so that fleets of all sizes can get access to electric Class 8 trucks and perform local and regional delivery with zero-tailpipe emissions," said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. "This type of innovative thinking is necessary to transform how the industry transports freight, and we look forward to collaborating with WattEV as they scale their TaaS fleet across California and the nation."

To support its TaaS model, WattEV is building a public network of heavy-duty battery-electric truck charging depots to service major transportation corridors, connecting shipping ports with freight distribution centers and warehouse locations. WattEV's first public truck charging depots will be in Bakersfield, San Bernardino, and near the Port of Long Beach, and will feature 250 kW CCS chargers that will provide the Volvo VNR Electric trucks an 80% charge in 90 minutes for the six-battery packs. As WattEV's public charging network expands nationwide, the company plans to scale its depots to provide 1.2 MW charging capability for ultra-fast charging.

"WattEV is thrilled to purchase our first battery-electric Class 8 trucks from Volvo Trucks as they  quickly scale their electric truck supply and dealer support network across the nation," said Salim Youssefzadeh, CEO, WattEV. "We are grateful to partner with an OEM that shares the same commitment to freight electrification throughout North America."

Volvo Trucks is focused on supporting customers in their electromobility transition by expanding its network of Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) Dealerships, where service teams are trained and equipped to safely perform battery-electric truck maintenance and repairs, and key VNR Electric parts are stocked to minimize downtime. Volvo Trucks currently has certified dealers in the U.S. in California, New York, and Virginia, as well as in Quebec, Canada, with dealerships in several additional states finalizing their certifications throughout 2022. WattEV's Volvo VNR Electric order was facilitated by TEC Equipment Fontana, which was the first Volvo Certified EV Dealer in the nation and 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," said 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).

The Volvo VNR Electric model is designed as a sustainable transportation solution for local and regional distribution, pickup and delivery, and food and beverage distribution. The models ordered by WattEV are based on its six-battery package option featuring increased energy storage of 565 kWh and an operational range of up to 275 miles. To learn more about the Volvo VNR Electric, visit the company website. 

For further information, please contact:

Fredrik Klevenfeldt 
Director Brand Marketing Communications, Volvo Trucks North America 
[email protected] 
336.543.3389 

High-resolution images associated with this press release and others are available at www.volvomediabank.com. 

Volvo Trucks North America, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, is one of the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturers in North America. Its Uptime Services commitment is delivered by a network of nearly 400 authorized dealers across North America and the 24/7 Volvo Trucks Uptime Center. Every Volvo truck is assembled in the Volvo Trucks New River Valley manufacturing facility in Dublin, Virginia, which meets the internationally recognized ISO 9001 standard for quality, 14001 standard for environmental care and holds a dual ISO 50001/Superior Energy Performance certification at the platinum level, indicating a sustained excellence in energy management. Volvo Trucks North America provides complete transport solutions for its customers, offering a full range of diesel, alternative-fuel and all-electric vehicles, and is part of the Volvo Trucks global organization.

Volvo Trucks supplies complete transport solutions for discerning professional customers with its full range of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Customer support is provided via a global network of dealers with 2,200 service points in about 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 13 countries across the globe. In 2021 approximately 123,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks' work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care.

SOURCE Volvo Trucks North America