Volta Trucks revealed prototype chassis and announces series production from December 2022
The prototype chassis has been designed and built using the proposed production specification frame and drivetrain components of the finished vehicle. This includes the high-voltage battery supplied by Proterra and the compact eAxle – the integrated rear axle, electric motor and transmission unit, from Meritor.
Volta Trucks unveiled the first running prototype chassis of the Volta Zero, the 16-tonne commercial vehicle designed specifically for inner city logistics.
The prototype chassis has been designed and built using the proposed production specification frame and drivetrain components of the finished vehicle. This includes the high-voltage battery supplied by Proterra and the compact eAxle – the integrated rear axle, electric motor and transmission unit, from Meritor. The demo vehicle is currently being presented to customers at the Innovation and Technology in Transport (ITT) Hub conference in Farnborough, UK.
Volta Trucks: new Volta Zero prototype chassis
The new prototype chassis adds the proposed production-specification frame and drivetrain and will be able to drive at normal road speeds. The chassis is due to start a comprehensive testing programme on proving grounds soon, with learnings taken into the production of a Pilot Fleet of vehicles expected to be delivered in late 2021.
These vehicles will be tested by Volta Trucks engineers as well as being evaluated by key customers who have signed up for both testing and the option on the series production, to develop their understanding of how the Volta Zero will integrate into their operations. Full-scale production of customer-specification vehicles will then follow at the end of 2022.
«A major milestone on our journey», said CEO Essa Al-Saleh
«The reveal of our first running prototype Volta Zero chassis is a major milestone on our journey to producing the first customer-specification vehicles in around 18 months’ time», said Chief Executive Officer of Volta Trucks, Essa Al-Saleh. «While traditional vehicle manufacturers take years to undertake market assessments, design processes and vehicle development, at Volta Trucks, we work at speed because we know that the world’s climate emergency cannot wait, and our customers need vehicles now. In six months, we have designed and developed a running prototype chassis and 18 months from now, we will be building series production vehicles for our customers. This is what they need, this is the speed they need us to work at, and this is what we’ll deliver».
