Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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commercial carrier journal | june 2018 23 Lite Check_CCJ0618_PG.indd 2 4/30/18 9:34 AM NACFE reports on electric trucks C ommercial battery-electric vehicles are the subject of the first Guidance Report released last month by e North American Council for Freight Efficiency. e report identifies 10 common arguments for and against Class 3-8 CBEVs and evaluates those positions to assess the viability for battery-electric trucks in the North American market. "Battery-electric vehicles for commercial applications are here today, but there are arguments for and against further development in that market," said Bill Brentar, senior director of maintenance and engineering for UPS corporate automotive engineering. "Arguments center on weight, technology, cost and charging/electric grid issues." NACFE's conclusions are presented in charts that show the timeframe with which electric trucks reach parity with diesel or gasoline trucks in areas such as cost, range and maintenance. "CBEVs and diesel engines are at different points on their innovation S-curves, but CBEVs have a greater potential for additional innovation," said Rick Mihelic, NACFE's director of future technologies studies. "ey will likely have an increasing role in the commercial vehicle market and in freight trans- portation. Urban delivery Classes 3 through 6 will likely be the early adopters." NACFE said it is developing another Guidance Report on medium-duty bat- tery-electric trucks. – Jason Cannon Volvo electric truck debuts in Europe V olvo Trucks recently introduced its first all-electric truck that will be used next year in Europe in pickup-and-delivery, refuse and recycling and other applications. e Volvo FL, which offers up to a 186-mile range through a 185kW motor, can be charged in one to two hours with a DC fast charger or in 10 hours with AC charging. Volvo said its zero-emissions electric trucks can be used in indoor terminals and environmental zones, while the motor's low noise levels allow for more nighttime jobs, which means fewer trucks on congested European streets during the day. Backing Volvo Trucks' entrance into electric powertrains is the Volvo Group's experience with its more than 4,000 electrified buses, which it began selling in 2010. e technology used for propulsion and energy storage in the Volvo FL is supported by Volvo Trucks' network for sales, service and parts supply. e first Volvo FL trucks now are entering regular operation with customers in Go- thenburg, Sweden, the home of Volvo Trucks. – Jason Cannon NACFE said no subject is more fraught with confusion than commercial battery-electric vehicles, which is why it chose the topic for its first Guidance Report. The Volvo FL offers up to a 186-mile range and can be charged in one to two hours with a DC fast charger or in 10 hours with AC charging.