make it all fit; I can trim text as necessary.
NEWS BRIEFS: ELECTRIFICATION
Da ch an ch
oemoffhighway.com/21207226
Commercial Availability of Electric Vehicles and Equipment Increases VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
Several electric truck and heavy equipment models are now available for order and set to begin production in 2021. by Sara Jensen
D
evelopment of electric vehicles and equipment is nothing new. However, there has been increased activity in this area in recent years as technology has matured and costs have come down. As such, many OEMs are ready to begin bringing their electric-powered solutions to market. Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), for instance, announced in mid2020 it would begin taking orders for its ECR25 and L25 electric machines. Orders are currently being taken in North America and several European countries, with the first deliveries of production machines expected in June 2021 (learn more, 21198350). Sister brand Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) began taking orders for its VNR Electric, which has been undergoing real-world testing as part of the Volvo LIGHTS project in California, in December. It will begin producing the trucks at its facility in Dublin, VA, in early 2021. The Volvo VNR Electric is designed for customer applications and driving cycles with local and regional distribution ranges, including food and beverage and pick-up and delivery routes. The 264-kWh lithium-ion batteries, which charge up to 80% within 70 minutes, have an operating range of up to 150 mi. (241.4 km) based on the truck’s configuration. Advanced battery chemistries deliver increased power at reduced costs, while self-learning controls optimize energy usage. Regenerative braking can increase range by returning power, up to 15%, back into the battery, depending on the duty
14
Production for the VNR Electric is slated to begin in early 2021.
cycle. According to VTNA, cutting-edge battery monitoring technology relays the state of health for the energy source in real time, streamlining service needs and maximizing uptime (learn more, 21208147). Meanwhile, the global Volvo Trucks organization announced it plans to offer a complete range of electric heavy-duty trucks in Europe starting in 2021 (learn more, 21201831).
Component availability is key An important aspect for any vehicle or equipment design—and particularly electric vehicles—is ensuring the right components are used for the application. Introduction of new components developed specifically for electric vehicles and equipment has been a key enabler to these vehicles’ entry into the marketplace (see pg. 16 to learn more). Many OEMs have formed partnerships with component suppliers who
have also been focusing their research and development efforts on electrification solutions. Doing so helps to ensure components utilized are optimized for use in an electric-powered vehicle which has different characteristics from traditionally powered ones. PACCAR, for instance, has announced partnerships with both Meritor and Dana—companies which have introduced several electric drivetrain components in recent years. Meritor was selected as the initial launch partner and primary supplier for the integration of functional battery-electric systems on the Peterbilt 579EV and 520EV trucks, both of which are now available for order (learn more, 21204331 and 21201483). Both Peterbilt electric trucks use Meritor’s 14Xe e-axles which provide power to the wheels. Electric motors in the e-axles are capable of capturing regenerative braking energy to help re-
OEM Off-Highway | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
OOH0121_14-15_NewsBriefsElectrification_SJ_SJF.indd 14
12/30/20 4:40 PM
