Truck owners are a large part of the heavy truck market, and have been among the most reluctant groups to switch from diesel to electric trucks. That may be changing, however, as Saldivar's Trucking becomes the first independent owner-operator in the US to roll out the Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 truck.
The high up-front cost of electric trucks has been a major obstacle for smaller fleets. That said, there are incentives from governments, utilities, and non-profit organizations to help overcome that initial hurdle. And the smart dealers are the ones who put in the hours to learn about those incentives, educate their customers, and ultimately sell more cars.
TEC Equipment is a smart dealer, and they worked closely with the South Coast Air Quality Management District to secure CARB funding and ensure Saldivar was able to secure $410,000 in funding from CARB's On-Road Heavy-Duty Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP ), which provides subsidies to replace old, heavy-duty trucks with zero-emission vehicles. The program is specifically targeted at small fleets of 10 vehicles or less operating in California and aims to bridge the gap between the regulatory goal of clean transportation and the financial realities that small business owners face.
“TEC equipment has been instrumental in supporting owner operators like Saldivar's Trucking in transitioning to battery-powered vehicles,” explained Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “Their commitment to providing comprehensive support and securing the necessary financing shows how important dealers are in turning the idea of owning a battery-powered vehicle into a reality for all fleets.”
The Volvo VNR Electric from Saldivar has six batteries, a storage capacity of 565 kWh and a charging capacity of 250 kW. The zero-emission truck can charge up to 80% in 90 minutes to provide a range of up to 275 miles.
Those numbers mean the electric Volvo semi is more than capable of meeting Saldivar's operational needs, which include overnight shifts at California ports covering 175-200 miles per night, five nights a week. And, as he adds his VNR Electric miles to Volvo's ever-growing numbers, other business owners will see it work for them, too.
“While major airlines often make headlines for their large investments in battery electric vehicles, nearly half of the 3.5 million professional truck drivers in the US are business owners who run their businesses with just one truck,” added Voorhoeve. “These small operations face unique challenges, from initial capital investment to finding adequate charging infrastructure … this partnership is a great example of the important role that truckers must play and why stakeholders need to work together to succeed in this new era of stability. transportation.” We need solutions that work for different fleets of all sizes in the market,” added Voorhoeve.
Electrek's Take
Electrifying America's commercial truck fleet can't happen soon enough – for the health of the people who live and work around these vehicles, the health of the planet they travel on, and (thanks to their very low operating costs) the health of businesses. that move them. TEC does a great job promoting the cause, and acts as a true professional partner to their customers.
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SOURCE | PHOTOS: Volvo Trucks, via ACT News.
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