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The rebirth of Volta Trucks
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2024 11:12 am
by dan_b
Worth a read - looks like we might be seeing Volta Trucks on European streets this year.
https://electricdrives.tv/volta-trucks- ... this-year/
Re: The rebirth of Volta Trucks
Posted: Fri May 02, 2025 1:41 pm
by dan_b
Sadly it seems Volta Trucks is about to go under again. Looks like they weren’t able to get enough sales quickly enough to keep going.
Re: The rebirth of Volta Trucks
Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 9:26 am
by dan_b
Re: The rebirth of Volta Trucks
Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 12:59 pm
by knighty
I think the problem for electric truck manufacturers is there's not much chassis wise different between a diesel and an electric truck, it's pretty easy for existing diesel manufacturers to swap to electric so it;s hard for electric only people to compete
Re: The rebirth of Volta Trucks
Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 1:03 pm
by dan_b
Yeah - I guess their low cab forward with central driver position wasn’t enough of a differentiator to overcome that issue. Got to be all about total cost of ownership I guess for commercial vehicles? Just too expensive?
Re: The rebirth of Volta Trucks
Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 2:31 pm
by MikeNovack
knighty wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 12:59 pm
I think the problem for electric truck manufacturers is there's not much chassis wise different between a diesel and an electric truck, it's pretty easy for existing diesel manufacturers to swap to electric so it;s hard for electric only people to compete
With the bigger trucks, what we call "tractor-trailers", the tractor units often built by makers who offer a choice "whose engine do you want?" To give one example "The Peterbilt 579 is a popular semi-truck known for its modern technology and fuel efficiency, making it a good choice for long-haul operations. It offers various engine options, including PACCAR MX-13, MX-11, Cummins X15, and even natural gas versions". Now this is a "long haul" model, but I bet we'll soon be seeing short haul models offering an electric option too.<< a short haul tractor that spends it days taking tractors from a central depot to the loading docks of businesses less than a half hour away has a duty cycle much more favorable for electric. Can be being recharged as trailwler being loaded/unloaded.
Re: The rebirth of Volta Trucks
Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 4:30 pm
by AE-NMidlands
MikeNovack wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 2:31 pm
knighty wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 12:59 pm
I think the problem for electric truck manufacturers is there's not much chassis wise different between a diesel and an electric truck, it's pretty easy for existing diesel manufacturers to swap to electric so it;s hard for electric only people to compete
With the bigger trucks, what we call "tractor-trailers", the tractor units often built by makers who offer a choice "whose engine do you want?" To give one example "The Peterbilt 579 is a popular semi-truck known for its modern technology and fuel efficiency, making it a good choice for long-haul operations. It offers various engine options, including PACCAR MX-13, MX-11, Cummins X15, and even natural gas versions". Now this is a "long haul" model, but I bet we'll soon be seeing short haul models offering an electric option too.<< a short haul tractor that spends it days taking tractors from a central depot to the loading docks of businesses less than a half hour away has a duty cycle much more favorable for electric. Can be being recharged as trailwler being loaded/unloaded.
Have you watched the YouTube viseos/programmes about Janus Trucks in Australia? I think they have beaten the USA to it! They have both long-haul operations and local-delivery ready-mix trucks working successfully.
It seems like a very smart operation, having their own bespoke drop-in electric motor to replace a diesel power unit on a non-life expired truck, separating battery ownership from the truck operators and managing battery exchange points on the Aussie long-haul routes. Lots of discussion of them on other threads, I imagine just searching for "Janus" will find them
Re: The rebirth of Volta Trucks
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 9:33 am
by Ken
You would have to think that if Janus can get long haul trucks to work in Australia they have cracked it.
Re: The rebirth of Volta Trucks
Posted: Thu May 08, 2025 11:23 am
by dan_b