Volvo Trucks announces the Volvo FE Electric. This all-electric truck is designed for heavier tasks, such as urban distribution and waste collection. It is the second electric truck announced by Volvo Trucks in three weeks. The company in early April introduced the Volvo FL Electric, a 16-tonne truck that is also fully electric-powered.
The Volvo FE Electric is to a 27-tonne truck with two electric motors that can collectively deliver a peak power of 370 kW and a continuous power of 260 kW. The electric motors each have 425 Nm of torque and deliver 850 Nm of torque in total. The truck is equipped with a Volvo two-speed transmission.
Range of 200 kilometres
The electric motors are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which provide a capacity between 200 and 300 kWh depending on the configuration. This gives the Volvo FE Electric a range of up to 200 kilometres. The batteries can be charged using two charging systems: a 22 kW system for AC charging via the mains and a 150 kW system for DC fast charging via CCS/Combo2. Using the fast charging system, the batteries can be charged to 300 kWh in an hour and a half. If the AC charging system is used, the process takes about 10 hours.
The Volvo FE Electric will be sold in Europe from 2019. The first example to be delivered is a rubbish truck, whose bodywork has been developed in cooperation with bodybuilder Faun. This electric rubbish truck will be deployed in Hamburg, Germany's second largest city, from early 2019. Prof Dr Rüdiger Siechau, CEO at Stadtreinigung Hamburg, explains: "Currently, each of our 300 conventional rubbish trucks emits around 31,300 kg of carbon dioxide per year. An electrically powered rubbish truck with a battery that lasts a full eight- to 10-hour shift is a technological breakthrough. Another advantage is the fact that Stadtreinigung Hamburg produces climate-neutral electricity that can be used to charge the batteries."
Volvo FL Electric
Volvo Trucks announced its first all-electric truck three weeks ago: the Volvo FL Electric. This 16-tonne truck features an electric motor with a peak output of 185kW and a continuous output of 130kW. Torque is 425 Nm. Like its bigger brother, the Volvo FL Electric features a two-speed gearbox.
The Volvo FL Electric can be equipped with two to six lithium-ion batteries, providing a capacity of 100 to 300 kWh. If six batteries are chosen, the range increases to 300 kilometres, reports Volvo Trucks. Like the Volvo FE Electric, the 16-tonne model can be charged using either a 22kW AC charging system or a 150kW DC fast charging system. With the 150kW system, the batteries can be charged to 300 kWh in one to two hours, while the process takes 10 hours with the AC charger.
Reduced nuisance from commercial activities
"With the introduction of the Volvo FE Electric, we can offer a complete range of electric-powered trucks for urban work. This marks another strategic step in the development of our overall offering for electrically powered transport solutions. This opens up opportunities for new forms of cooperation with cities that focus on improving air quality, reducing traffic noise and preventing rush-hour traffic jams. Indeed, commercial activities can be conducted with little noise and no exhaust emissions early in the morning or late at night," said Claes Nilsson, President of Volvo Trucks.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Source: Volvo Trucks (pictured)
