The Volta Zero, reckoned to be the world’s first purposebuilt, full-electric 16-tonne delivery truck, is to begin a trial in London next year.
The partnership between Scandinavian startup Volta Trucks and DPD, the United Kingdom’s biggest parcel delivery service, will see the etruck work inside London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.
DPD UK’s Olly Craughan, says that the Volta Zero is “an ideal fit for our urban logistics strategy,” which has seen the company establish all-electric parcel micro-depots in London in the last 18 months.
The company recently announced that it now has over 700 fully electric vans in its delivery fleet – achieving its 2020 target of going 10% electric.
Says Dwain McDonald, DPD’s CEO: “We know retail customers want this and the reaction on the doorstep is great.”
Volta Trucks CEO Rob Fowler says that the Zero, designed and built to deliver parcels and freight in inner-city locations with demanding air quality and noise pollution challenges, is perfectly suited to the task in London.
The driver sits in the centre of the cab, with a much lower seat height than a conventional truck and better visibility of pedestrians and cyclists. A glasshouse-style cab design also gives the driver 220-degree vision, minimising dangerous blind spots.
Adds Fowler: “Its full-electric drivetrain also offers near-silent operation, meaning DPD will be able to utilise the Volta Zero in the centre of London in an efficient 24-hour operation.”
The Zero has a 150-200 kilometre operating range.