Summary
- Volvo Trucks North America delivered 70 Volvo VNR Electric trucks as part of the SWITCH-ON project in Southern California
- The project was backed by funding from the EPA and South Coast AQMD to improve air quality in the region
- Participating fleets include CEVA, NFI, Performance Team, and others
- The trucks will collect data on performance through 2025 to provide operational insights
- Volvo Trucks continues to lead in Class 8 BEV deployments and offers innovative solutions like Volvo on Demand for transitioning to battery-electric trucks in North America
Article
Volvo Trucks North America has successfully delivered 70 Volvo VNR Electric trucks as part of the SWITCH-ON project, a $21.5M initiative supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD). This project aims to improve air quality in Southern California by deploying zero-tailpipe emission trucks for regional freight distribution and drayage. The trucks will collect data on performance in various applications through 2025, providing valuable insights for the industry. Additionally, Volvo has delivered over 570 Volvo VNR Electric trucks across the U.S. and Canada.
The SWITCH-ON project was backed by funding from the EPA’s Targeted Air Shed Grant Program and South Coast AQMD for charging infrastructure. The first 15 trucks delivered were the first generation of Volvo VNR Electric trucks, while the remaining 55 are next-generation models with improved range and faster charging capabilities. Participating fleets include CEVA, IMC Logistics, McLane, NFI, Performance Team, Pier Enterprises Group, and Western Regional Delivery Service/South Coast Transportation & Distribution.
Volvo Trucks has introduced innovative solutions to accelerate battery-electric vehicle adoption, such as the Volvo on Demand program in collaboration with Volvo Financial Services. The company continues to lead the industry in Class 8 BEV deployments by leveraging insights from previous projects like Volvo LIGHTS and JETSI. The SWITCH-ON project aims to significantly reduce emissions along the Interstate-710 corridor in Southern California, improving air quality in the region.
Infrastructure development remains a challenge for fleets transitioning to electric trucks, despite public funding support. South Coast AQMD is committed to supporting zero-emission technology and improving air quality while enabling businesses to thrive. The trucks deployed through the SWITCH-ON project are expected to provide lifetime emission reduction benefits exceeding 152.63 tons of NOx, 1.317 tons of PM2.5, and 53,160 tons of CO2. Energetics supports the project as a third-party data analyst, quantifying the trucks’ usage and energy and emissions savings.
All 70 Volvo VNR Electric trucks will be supported by TEC Equipment – Fontana, which played a key role in developing the Certified Electric Vehicle Dealership certification as part of the Volvo LIGHTS project. TEC Equipment will provide local support for participating fleets, including driver training, maintenance, and repairs to maximize fleet uptime and performance. The project aims to pave the way for broader industry adoption of electric trucks, building on the success of previous initiatives and partnerships with public entities, utilities, and manufacturers.
Overall, the Volvo Trucks SWITCH-ON project is a significant step towards achieving zero-emission goals in the transportation industry. By collaborating with key industry partners and utilizing innovative solutions, Volvo Trucks is paving the way for widespread adoption of battery-electric trucks. The data collected from this project will provide valuable insights for future deployments and help improve air quality in Southern California and beyond.
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