Volvo FH Electric in Green Truck Test excels in both range and energy efficiency

Germany recently saw the first independent energy efficiency test of a fully loaded, heavy-duty electric Volvo truck. The Volvo FH Electric exceeded the official stated range and consumed 50% less energy than its diesel-powered counterpart.

Watch the movie about the test.

The truck tested was a Volvo FH Electric, an emission-free vehicle with a continuous output of 490 kW and a total GCW of 40 tons. German truck journalist Jan Burgdorf tested the truck on the Green Truck route: a 343-km route with a variety of highways, hilly terrain and tighter roads used for testing trucks from different manufacturers in a wide range of conditions.

"During testing, the Volvo FH Electric proved to be as comfortable or even more comfortable than a diesel truck. Drivers will be very surprised at how easy it is to drive, how quiet it is and how responsive it is. There are no vibrations at all," says Jan Burgdorf.

Over the entire route, the Volvo FH Electric maintained an average speed of 80 km/h, comparable to the Volvo FH with a diesel engine and the I-Save fuel-saving package. Based on energy consumption of only 1.1 kWh/km, the electric truck had a total range of 345 km on a single charge.

"These test results show that it is possible to drive up to 500 km during a normal working day, with a short stop to recharge during lunch, for example," explains Tobias Bergman, Press Test Director at Volvo Trucks.

In the test on the Green Truck route, the Volvo FH Electric 50% consumed less energy than a comparable Volvo FH with diesel engine.

"The electric powertrain is highly efficient, making the electric truck a very powerful tool to reduce CO₂-emissions," said Tobias Bergman.

Volvo Trucks' goal is for electric vehicles to account for half of sales by 2030 and 100% of CO₂reduction (well-to-wheel; or source-to-wheel) for new trucks sold is achieved.

"We are committed to the Paris climate agreement. Scientifically based targets have been set and we are taking action to accelerate the move toward drastically reducing CO₂-emissions from road freight transport. I think the broad electric offerings we already have on the market are very clear evidence of that," Tobias Bergman concludes.

Facts about the test and the truck

• Total GCW: 40 tons
• Average speed: 80 km/h
• Energy consumption: 1.1 kWh/km
• Battery capacity: 540 kWh
• Output power: 490 kW continuous power
• Total distance: 343 km
• Total range based on one charge: 345 km
• The Volvo FH Electric tested can travel up to 500 km during a normal working day if a charge is added, such as during lunch break.

Volvo Trucks' electric offerings

• Volvo Trucks has a range of six all-electric trucks designed for a wide range of transportation tasks.
• The Volvo FH, FM and FMX Electric can be used for heavier transport with a GCW of 44 tons. Sales in Europe have started and production will begin in the second half of 2022.
• Already in series production since 2019, the Volvo FL and FE Electric for urban distribution and waste handling.
• In North America, sales of the Volvo VNR Electric began in 2020.