Volvo offers electric trucks suitable for the construction industry

Volvo Trucks has developed a line of heavy-duty electric trucks tailored to the construction industry. By using electric trucks, companies can now meet the increasing demand for vehicles with lower noise levels and no exhaust emissions on and around urban construction sites.

The demand for electric transport in the construction industry is increasing, with zero-emission zones in cities and the need for construction companies to meet climate goals being the two main drivers.

Volvo Trucks has therefore developed heavy-duty electric trucks that enable customers in the construction segment to switch to more sustainable transport. Conventional trucks with single chassis and body applications for a wide range of body systems, such as tippers, mixers and cranes, are now offered in electric versions.

"Construction trucks typically travel fairly short distances and operate in repetitive patterns, such as when delivering materials to construction sites. This makes them very suitable for electrification. Our electric trucks can be customized for many of these jobs, which means that construction customers can now get the same truck they are currently using in an electric version. This gives them better maneuverability, less noise and no exhaust emissions," explains Jessica Sandström, Global Product Manager at Volvo Trucks.

Configured for increased payload and productivity

The new electric trucks are flexible thanks to various cab and battery options and a wide range of axle configurations. This allows for a wider chassis range and the possibility of a shorter wheelbase, up to 3,900 mm, which in turn provides flexibility to adapt the truck to the most diverse construction jobs.

Customers can choose battery packages of six to two batteries, tailored to their specific range and payload needs. The new rugged trucks have battery capacities of 180-540 kWh.

"In terms of battery capacity, the truck can be tailored to the actual deployment and route. Having no more batteries on board than necessary can increase payload capacity and thus productivity," said Jessica Sandström.

Three PTO options

Three types of PTO (Power Take Off) solutions on the electric trucks allow the mounting of electric or mechanical superstructures: Electric ePTO, transmission PTO and electromechanical PTO. Both electromechanical and transmission solutions offer good opportunities to optimize energy consumption and avoid excessive noise.

Volvo Trucks is the only global truck manufacturer with a full range of electric trucks that are already in series production. The company's goal is for half of global new truck sales to be electric by 2030 at the latest.

Volvo FM and FMX electric trucks with built-in applications can be equipped as follows:

Available for sale December 2022, series production start March 2023:

Powertrain: 490 kW
Drive: 3 electric motors
Battery: 450-540 kWh, 5-6 batteries
Cabin: Sleeper cabin, high, X-high sleeper cabin
Wheelbase: 4,300-6,700
Axle configurations: 4x2R, 6x2R, 6x4R, 8x2R, and 8x4R
PTO: Electric ePTO, transmission PTO and electromechanical PTO

Available for sale February 2023, series production start May 2023:

Powertrain: 330 kW
Drive: 2 electric motors
Battery: 360 kWh, 4 batteries
Cabin: Day cab
Wheelbase: 3,900-6,700

Available for sale in June 2023, start of series production in September 2023:

Battery: 180-270 kWh, 2-3 batteries