Swedish startup Volta Trucks is set to debut its all-electric Volta Zero truck in the U.S. at the upcoming Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo on May 1-4, 2023, in Anaheim, California.
Volta will introduce the Class 6 and Class 7 models at the ACT, which are equivalent to the 16-ton trucks developed for Europe, ahead of the official pilot trials in late 2023. Production with U.S. specifications will start soon after, with a target to hit the market in 2024.
With a range of 95-125 miles per-charge, the medium-duty urban logistics truck is fully equipped with a modular (10 to 225 kWh) Proterra battery bank, as well as a combined motor, axle and transmission supplied by Michigan’s Accelera by Cummins.
This model will seat the driver at the glasshouse-style cabin’s center, offering a wide 220-degree field of view and eye-level views of other road users. The driver can enter and exit from either side of the truck.
The Volta Zero is a contender to the all-electric Tesla Semi, which only recently began full-scale production and deliveries last year after years of testing.
Meanwhile, the Class 5 and Class 6 trucks, equivalent to Volta’s Europe-produced 7.5 and 12 tonners, respectively, will later launch in the U.S. in 2026.
The Stockholm-based company will also introduce a “Truck-as-a-Service” subscription model, allowing fleet operators to try out and “fully understand how the truck will integrate into their operations.” Businesses can pay monthly rental fees that cover the servicing, maintenance, training and insurance.
This service aims to speed up the adoption of commercial electric vehicles and help decarbonize city centers. In addition, the company plans to set up service hubs near customers’ logistics centers and establish a network of partner facilities across the country to support electric fleets.
“This marks the start of our journey in the U.S., and we are excited to bring road-certified vehicles for U.S. customers to evaluate later this year,” said Essa Al-Saleh, CEO of Volta Trucks.