3 minute read
INTERVIEW I
Entrepreneurs by their nature are game changers. They are prepared to encounter risks and pitfalls to get their dream idea to the market. Sometimes they might have to give in, but they never give up.
In the automotive industry recent newcomers have made an instant impact, with more to come, particularly from China. In the truck sector and closer to home, one serious, serial Swedish entrepreneur as put his vision to reality. Carl-Magnus Nordon, along with partners, has journeyed to create the Volta Zero, an emission-free, last mile, efficient delivery truck, which has now entered production in Austria.
Why create the Volta Zero? It’s a result of Carl-Magnus’s long recognised concern about the environment, with a record of supporting sustainable products and services for over three decades.
However the strongly funded Volta Trucks project is undoubtedly his biggest venture to date, as he explained to Fleet Transport during the IAA Transportation event in Hannover, Germany.
“It is time to do something about global warming,” said Carl-Magnus. “CO2 targets have to be met by 2030 and ultimately by 2045. We’ve got to move quicker, accelerate change. The truck industry in particular has to bring about incremental change, seize the opportunity, and like Tesla, become the catalyst for change.”
Back in 2016, Carl began the journey that has resulted in the fully produced last mile delivery vehicle available today.
The 16-tonne Volta Zero concept truck, which has ‘done the rounds’ across Europe in the past two years, has a number of unique features. They include the low entry cab’s expansive glazed area, centrally positioned steering wheel and sliding doors. Carl is convinced that with this design brings time efficiencies and safety enhancements that will lessen the burden of the busy delivery driver. In addition, all these elements combined meet the stringent Transport for London Direct Vision/CLOCS regulations for these types of vehicles.
Regarding other supply partners, Bridgestone (tyres), Carrier Transicold (refrigeration), Protena (batteries) and Sibros (connected software) plus Siemens (charging), are all signed up.
Surprisingly, Carl-Magnus knew little about trucks before establishing the Volta Trucks, starting the project with a blank sheet of paper. He surely does now!
Driver shortage is an ongoing issue and with this type of vehicles, drivers will be better catered for, with less difficulty jumping in and out, while better visibility via the central driving position is an added bonus. Moving the steering column to the middle eliminates the rather expensive and awkward production changeover from LHD to RHD.
Following a demo tour of the initial prototypes, interest in the project is high, with the pages of the order book rapidly being filled.
A number of blue-chip, high profile companies such as DB Schenkar, DP and, FedEx are on board, with Petit Forestier committing to having its livery on 1,000 of these Volta Zero units with Palltex (GB) built box bodywork.
The sales approach is that deals are done directly, financed through a leasing offer (for up to 8 years) with aftermarket maintenance undertaken by appointed third party HGV service specialists. The Volta’s low running costs (TCO) will be a deciding factor. Carl sees the Zero trucks operating out of distribution hubs around the main cities across Europe and further afield - interest has also come from the USA too.
Before any deal is concluded, each customer’s operation will be assessed to determine whether the Volta Zero will be a suitable fit.
Presently, the 225kWh battery pack delivers a range of 200 kms, enough for daily distribution shifts and capable of accepting a power charge that takes 1.5 hours for the 150kW battery pack.
“The Volta Zero is not like the OEMs, it’s a totally new, dedicated electric truck, not converted from an existing make or model,” emphasised Carl.
Initially launched as a 16-tonne GVW 4x2 rigid, two other weight variants are to be added - a 7.5-tonne and 12-tonner, due in 2024.
Volta Trucks’ contract manufacturing facility is run by Steyr Automotive, formerly MAN Truck & Bus Austria. Steyr Automotive offers Volta Trucks more than 100 years of manufacturing experience building large commercial vehicles and has reserved a capacity of 14,000 vehicles per year for Volta Trucks from their total available production. Over time, manufacturing the Volta Zero will create 510 jobs, plus 180 jobs in the building of the cargo boxes, in addition to an estimated 2,000 positions within the supply chain. The manufacturing contract has a value of up to €1 billion over its lifetime.
