Volta unveils the Zero 16-tonne electric truck
Swedish start-up Volta Trucks wants to reduce the negative effects that large delivery vehicles can have on towns and cities. Its new pure-electric Zero boasts zero tailpipe emissions, while an innovative design should lessen the risks for vulnerable road users.
Measuring 9,460 mm (31’ 0”) long, 2,550 mm (8’ 4”) wide and 3,470 mm (11’ 5”) high, the Zero has a gross vehicle weight of 16,000 kg (35,274 lbs). The cargo area – which will be offered in a choice of ambient or refrigerated guises – is large enough to accommodate 16 Euro pallets. Maximum payload is 8,600 kg (18,959 lbs).
An ‘e-Axle’ integrates the electric motor, transmission and rear axle into a single compact unit. Volta claims that this solution aids efficiency, plus there are packaging benefits as well.
Indeed, rather than being occupied by a prop shaft, the space between the chassis rails accommodates a modular lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack. Capacities are going to vary from 160 to 200 kWh, resulting in fully-loaded urban ranges of 93 to 124 miles (150 to 200 kilometres). Anticipated recharging times have yet to be revealed, though.
The Zero features an ingenious cab layout, thanks mainly to the absence of an internal combustion engine. A low-set central driving position gives 220° of visibility and allows easy access via either of the sliding doors. Such an arrangement is also likely to yield significant time and cost savings for the development process, because separate left- and right-hand drive versions won’t be necessary.
Numerous assistance technologies are planned, too. These include rear-view cameras (instead of conventional door mirrors), a 360° birds-eye view camera, road sign recognition, lane departure warning and a reversing function.
Volta now intends to build twelve prototype examples of the Zero, then subject them to fleet trials across Europe during the first half of 2021.
Full-scale production is scheduled to commence sometime in 2022. Interestingly, this will happen in collaboration with a contracted manufacturing partner, probably in the UK.
Measuring 9,460 mm (31’ 0”) long, 2,550 mm (8’ 4”) wide and 3,470 mm (11’ 5”) high, the Zero has a gross vehicle weight of 16,000 kg (35,274 lbs). The cargo area – which will be offered in a choice of ambient or refrigerated guises – is large enough to accommodate 16 Euro pallets. Maximum payload is 8,600 kg (18,959 lbs).
An ‘e-Axle’ integrates the electric motor, transmission and rear axle into a single compact unit. Volta claims that this solution aids efficiency, plus there are packaging benefits as well.
Indeed, rather than being occupied by a prop shaft, the space between the chassis rails accommodates a modular lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack. Capacities are going to vary from 160 to 200 kWh, resulting in fully-loaded urban ranges of 93 to 124 miles (150 to 200 kilometres). Anticipated recharging times have yet to be revealed, though.
The Zero features an ingenious cab layout, thanks mainly to the absence of an internal combustion engine. A low-set central driving position gives 220° of visibility and allows easy access via either of the sliding doors. Such an arrangement is also likely to yield significant time and cost savings for the development process, because separate left- and right-hand drive versions won’t be necessary.
Numerous assistance technologies are planned, too. These include rear-view cameras (instead of conventional door mirrors), a 360° birds-eye view camera, road sign recognition, lane departure warning and a reversing function.
Volta now intends to build twelve prototype examples of the Zero, then subject them to fleet trials across Europe during the first half of 2021.
Full-scale production is scheduled to commence sometime in 2022. Interestingly, this will happen in collaboration with a contracted manufacturing partner, probably in the UK.
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