The move to electric trucks has ramped-up, with another mainstream heavyweight manufacturer about to switch on.

Volvo Trucks says it will have electric trucks in operation with selected customers this year…and will start selling them next year.

The truckmaker says electric trucks drastically reduce noise and exhaust emissions and will allow positive changes to urban transport and logistics.

"Electromobility is fully in line with Volvo Trucks' longterm commitment for sustainable urban development and zero emissions," says president Claes Nilsson.

"By using electrically powered and quieter trucks for goods transport in urban areas, we meet several challenges simultaneously. Without disturbing noise and exhaust gases, it will be possible to operate in more sensitive city centres.

"Transport may also take place throughout less-busy periods, for example in late evening and at night. This will reduce the burden on the roads during daytime rush-hour traffic, allowing both the road network and vehicles to be utilised far more effectively than today," says Nilsson.

A recent study conducted by the city of Stockholm and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology into the effects of goods transport at night in the central city concluded that transport assignments were carried out in a third of the normal time.

Volvo says electric trucks, working at times that better utilise urban roads at quiet times, also make it possible for "many smaller vehicles to be replaced by fewer, but larger vehicles – thus further contributing to lower emissions and less traffic.

"A distribution truck has just over 10 times the load capacity of a regular van."

Larger electric trucks, operating at off-peak times, will also "significantly reduce the risk of accidents."

Volvo says its electric truck development is based on its proven experience with electric buses and diesel/electric hybrid trucks (which it introduced eight years ago).