Next step for the Volta Zero truck. Real-world trials in the UK for the prototype
The prototype vehicle uses the proposed production specification chassis frame and drivetrain of the finished vehicle and will test all the electro-mechanical and thermal properties of the truck, which will be on tour throughout the UK in September.
The Volta Zero prototype has lately commenced the first real-world trials at HORIBA MIRA in Nuneaton, UK. This is quite an important milestone for Volta Trucks, the Swedish company that aims to be disruptive in the market of urban distribution trucks. The electric vehicles recently conceived by the young manufacturer are supposed to start series production by the end of 2022, as declared by Carla Detrieux, Director of Business Development during this video interview with Sustainable Truck&Van.
Additionally, at the end of June, Volta Trucks unveiled the prototype chassis – one of the main parts of the newly-conceived truck – and some days later the collaboration with the Italian specialist CPC Group for the composite exterior body panel was in turn revealed.
Volta Zero and the real-world trials programme
Back to the trials carried out in the UK, Volta Trucks stated that «the prototype vehicle uses the proposed production specification chassis frame and drivetrain of the finished vehicle and will test all the electro-mechanical and thermal properties of the truck. This includes the high-voltage battery supplied by Proterra, and the compact rear axle, electric motor and transmission eAxle unit from Meritor. The unconventional bodywork of the prototype is purely designed to protect the development driver from the elements when the vehicle is moving at speed. The production vehicle will feature a cargo box design, but the prototype uses a flatbed to allow engineers to add different levels and locations of loads to test its weightcarrying capacity».
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The forthcoming test and development programme with this and later-specification prototypes also includes periods of cold weather testing north of the Arctic Circle, and hot weather testing in southern Europe. The comprehensive programme will ensure that the production-specification Volta Zero vehicles deliver the durability and reliability expected by fleet operators and vehicle owners. These learnings will be taken into the production of Pilot Fleet vehicles that will be tested and evaluated by key customers who have signed up for both testing and the option to purchase series production trucks.
The UK Tour in September is about to start
In the meantime, the Volta Zero is about to start its scheduled tour around the UK throughout September in a series of high-profile customer and industry events. The UK roadshow follows the successful European tour of Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Munich and Frankfurt where more than 700 individual customer demonstrations of the Volta Zero were undertaken.
The UK tour initially kicks off with the EV Summit at the Saïd Business School at Oxford University on 1-2 September where Founder and Executive Chairman of Volta Trucks, Carl-Magnus Norden will present in the electric vehicle design panel debate. The EV Summit brings together business leaders and key players working on electric vehicles, energy, information technology and charging infrastructure, to explore how the world advances to full, battery electric, eMobility.
