Growing list of fleets sign on for the Volvo VNR Electric

Orders and deliveries for the Volvo VNR Electric are growing at a rapid pace in 2021. Volvo Trucks North America is among the first major truck manufacturers in the U.S. to commercialize and sell battery-electric Class 8 trucks. The company began taking customer orders for its VNR Electric model last December and has multiple customer deliveries scheduled through the remainder of 2021.

Volvo Trucks now has orders for more than 100 VNR Electric models scheduled to be delivered and deployed in fleet operations throughout California and other locations over the next two years. California-based fleets that have already received their first VNR Electrics include Albertsons, Penske Truck Leasing, Saia LTL, and Quality Custom Distribution (QCD). In June, Manhattan Beer Distributors become the first East Coast fleet to place orders for the truck models, which were the first series-produced units at Volvo Trucks’ manufacturing facility in Dublin, Virginia.

"Penske is committed to testing and providing its customers with the latest EV technologies and enabling fleet operators to drive improved sustainability within their operations."

PAUL ROSA, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT PROCUREMENT AND FLEET PLANNING, PENSKE TRUCK LEASING

Commercial orders for Volvo VNR Electric trucks have been a highly anticipated next step following the successful Volvo LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions) project—an innovative collaboration with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and 12 other organizations to develop a blueprint to successfully introduce battery-electric trucks and equipment into the market at scale.

“Through the Volvo LIGHTS project, we have given consideration to every possible resource fleets need to make a successful transition to electric vehicles,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “By creating a holistic electrification ecosystem—from accessing grant funding to the purchase of the truck, to establishing a charging infrastructure plan, to providing service and support after the sale—Volvo Trucks is ensuring our customers are supported every step of the way.”

Early adopters

Saia LTL Freight, a leading national transportation and logistics provider took delivery of two Volvo VNR Electric trucks at its facility in Los Angeles, California earlier this year. The VNR Electrics are the first zero tailpipe emission, battery-electric Class 8 trucks to be deployed in Saia’s fleet.

“Being a good corporate citizen is an important principle of our core values, so it’s imperative that we are managing our operations in a responsible and sustainable manner,” said Fritz Holzgrefe, Saia president and chief executive officer. “Partnering with Volvo Trucks to deploy the VNR Electrics into our Southern California freight routes will allow us to explore and fully utilize zero-emission technology to reduce our fleet’s carbon footprint.”

QCD, a national food service logistics supplier, will deploy 14 Volvo VNR Electric models in its Southern California last-mile delivery routes over the next two years. The trucks represent the largest single purchasing commitment of Volvo VNR Electric trucks to date.

“Being a Volvo Trucks customer for over 13 years, we knew we could expect the same level of safety, comfort, and performance from the VNR Electric as we’ve always had with the traditional VNR,” said Mike Douglas, senior director of strategic procurement, QCD. “We are continually looking for ways to help our customers reduce their supply chain emissions and are excited to offer a battery-electric last-mile solution that can deliver.”

Manhattan Beer Distributors is one of the largest beverage distributors in the U.S. and the largest beer purveyor in the New York City area, serving nearly 25,000 customers from five operational sites located in and around metropolitan New York. For over two decades Manhattan Beer Distributors has been building its low-emission fleet alongside Volvo Trucks, which includes today 150 Volvo VNR and VNL compressed natural gas (CNG) Class 8 trucks.

“We are excited to offer a zero-emission delivery solution to our customers and look forward to putting more Volvo VNR Electric trucks into our fleet operations,” said Simon Bergson, president and CEO of Manhattan Beer Distributors.

New training facility

To support the growing demand for the Volvo VNR Electric, Volvo Trucks has opened a 9,600-square-foot location in Hayward, California, conveniently located near San Francisco. The state-of-the-art facility becomes the West Coast hub of Volvo Trucks Academy, which provides technical vehicle knowledge, dealer operations training, and provides customers with exclusive access to expert vehicle training. The Hayward location will also support battery-electric vehicle (BEV) training efforts, supplying programs for company employees, technicians, dealer sales staff and aftermarket personnel, as well as owner-operators and fleet customers.

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