Volvo Trucks has completed delivery of 70 VNR electric trucks in California

Volvo Trucks North America has successfully delivered 70 Volvo VNR electric trucks as part of a $21.5 million project supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD).

Volvo Trucks North America has successfully delivered 70 Volvo VNR electric trucks as part of a $21.5 million project supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the South Coast AQMD.

SWITCH-ON project: large-scale deployment of electric-powered trucks

A project called «SWITCH-ON» aims to use these zero-emission trucks for transportation in Southern California. Originally announced in 2020, SWITCH-ON has become one of the largest programs in the U.S. to commercialize Class 8 electric trucks. To date, Volvo Trucks has delivered more than 570 VNR electric trucks to 31 U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

To date, Volvo Trucks has delivered over 570 VNR electric trucks to 31 U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

Funding and Infrastructure

The SWITCH-ON project has been funded up to $19.5 million through the EPA’s Targeted Air Shed Grant Program and also received $2 million from the South Coast AQMD to build charging infrastructure, which is intended to improve air quality in the region.

The first 15 trucks delivered were first-generation Volvo VNR Electric commercial electric trucks, while the remaining 55 models are next-generation trucks with increased range and improved fast-charging capabilities.

These trucks will collect data on their performance in transportation and logistics environments until 2025, allowing at least a year’s worth of operational experience to be gathered for all units.

New solutions to accelerate electric vehicle adoption

Besides the SWITCH-ON project, Volvo Trucks is introducing other innovative solutions to accelerate the transition to electric traction. In cooperation with Volvo Financial Services, a program «Volvo on Demand» based on the Truck-as-a-Service (TaaS) business model has been launched. This solution enables customers to reduce the upfront costs associated with the transition to electric trucks and utilize the electric vehicle ecosystem created specifically for Volvo VNR Electric in North America.

Customers will be able to reduce the upfront costs associated with the transition to electric trucks and leverage the electric vehicle ecosystem created specifically for Volvo VNR Electric in North America.

Volvo Trucks’ leadership in the electric truck segment

Volvo Trucks remains a leader in the introduction of Class 8 electric trucks, applying lessons learned from projects such as Volvo LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions) and JETSI (Joint Electric Truck Scaling Initiative). Both projects were implemented in collaboration with South Coast AQMD, the California Air Conservation Board (CARB) and other organizations, creating templates for successfully bringing electric trucks and related equipment to market. The SWITCH-ON project continues this success to significantly reduce emissions along the Interstate-710 corridor in Southern California, which will improve air quality for local communities.

The SWITCH-ON project will continue this success, aiming to significantly reduce emissions along the Interstate-710 corridor in Southern California, which will improve air quality for local communities.

Expected Impact of Implementation

The EPA Targeted Air Shed Grant Program focuses on regions with high levels of ozone and particulate matter (PM) pollution, including California’s South Coast. The South Coast AQMD is responsible for achieving federal and state air quality standards in this area, which encompasses large portions of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, including the Coachella Valley.

The South Coast AQMD is responsible for achieving federal and state air quality standards in this area, which encompasses large portions of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, including the Coachella Valley.

The introduction of 70 Volvo VNR electric trucks is expected to reduce emissions by more than 152.63 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx), 1,317 tons of PM2.5 and 53,160 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Analysis of in-service data will be led by South Coast AQMD to evaluate all emission reduction opportunities presented by the use of electric trucks.

Analysis of in-service data will be led by South Coast AQMD to evaluate all emission reduction opportunities presented by the use of electric trucks.

Supported by TEC Equipment – Fontana

All 70 Volvo VNR electric trucks will be supported by TEC Equipment – Fontana, which played a key role in developing the Volvo LIGHTS electric vehicle dealer certification program. TEC Equipment – Fontana will be a key resource for participating fleets, providing support in driver training, maintenance and repair to maximize truck uptime and productivity.

TEC Equipment – Fontana will be a key resource for participating fleets, providing support in driver training, maintenance and repair to maximize truck uptime and productivity.

So Volvo Trucks continues to lead the electric vehicle market by introducing sustainable and efficient solutions to improve air quality and support the transition to electromobility.