Series production of the 16-tonne (17.6-U.S.-ton) Volta Zero truck recently began at Steyr Automotive, the company’s contract manufacturing partner in Steyr, Austria. Fleet operators in the Volta Zero Driving Experience Programme will be the first to receive vehicles from the initial production run. The programme loans the series production Volta Zero to operators for an extended period, giving them a chance to see how the all-electric, medium-duty trucks fit into real-world transport applications.
“In just 2.5 years, less than half the time existing truck manufacturers take, we have moved from launching a concept, through the engineering, development, and quality phases and now the start of production of the final specification models that will be driven by customers, making our urban environments safer and more sustainable,” says Kjell Walöen, Volta Trucks co-founder and chief manufacturing and logistics officer. “The industry-leading pace to market set by Volta Trucks is a true testament to the highly skilled and driven professionals in the company and our partners, and the whole team is extremely proud of this milestone moment.”
The Volta Zero
Designed specifically for city centre logistics, the Volta Zero has an operating range of 150 to 200 kilometres (95 to 125 miles). Its high-visibility cab affords the operator a 220-degree view that shrinks blind spots and promotes safety on the street. Among the vehicle’s many safety technologies are interior and side rearview cameras, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear cross-traffic alert system for use when reversing.
The initial 16-t (17.6-U.S.-t) version of the Volta Zero supplies 8,600 kilograms (18,960 pounds) of payload capacity and 37.7 cubic metres (1,331 cubic feet) of cargo capacity. It has a rear axle capacity of 11 t (12 U.S. t) and a front axle rated at 5 t (5.5 U.S. t). The Zero’s top speed is 90 km/h (56 mph).
Production Ramp-Up
The Steyr Automotive facility is well-positioned to accommodate Volta Truck moving forward; Steyr Automotive has already reserved 14,000 vehicles per year of manufacturing capacity for Volta vehicles. Volta says it is likely to increase production volumes in coming years, but for now the team is enjoying having taken the first step.
“The first full-production Volta Zero going into the production line here at Steyr is the most substantial milestone the company has achieved to date,” says Walöen.
Source: Volta Trucks