Volvo Trucks North America client NFI Industries, a top third-party supplier of supply chain solutions, is increasing its investments in electromobility solutions.
It recently ordered 60 Volvo VNR electric trucks. NFI Industries’ Ontario, California fleet will receive the battery-electric freight trucks in 2022 and 2023 to support its goal of creating the nation’s first zero-emission freight logistics fleet.
Peter Voorhoeve (President, Volvo Trucks North America) stated that Volvo Trucks was proud to continue its partnership with NFI on their electromobility journey. This is a testament to the company’s leadership and commitment towards supply chain sustainability. Volvo Trucks North America’s 60 Volvo VNR Electrics order from NFI is a testimony to the positive results fleets have been experiencing with Volvo Trucks’ electric mobility solution. It also signals to the market that reliable freight transport can be achieved with zero tailpipe emissions.
NFI began its journey to electromobility with Volvo Trucks in 2019. NFI began piloting two Volvo VNR Electric trucks as part of its commercial operations. This demonstrated the reliability of battery-electric trucks for transporting goods in a range operating conditions.
Bill Bliem, NFI’s senior vice president for fleet services, stated that NFI’s experience with Volvo LIGHTS was a key factor in NFI purchasing VNR Electric trucks to support our drayage operations. NFI initiated our electrification transition as we are committed to sustainability initiatives throughout our operations. We continue to invest in Volvo Trucks due to the proven viability of Volvo VNR Electrics on our real-world routes.
NFI ordered 60 trucks with the next generation enhanced Volvo VNR Electric Model. It has a six-battery pack configuration that provides an operating range of up to 275 miles. The new Volvo VNR Electric, which was introduced in Q2 2022 is also faster charging. It can charge up to 80% in just 90 minutes thanks to its 250kW charging technology.
- The JETSI project, which is jointly funded by the California Energy Commission and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), will significantly increase the market penetration for zero-emission heavy duty trucks and open the door to freight logistics fleets that can achieve large-scale emission reductions.
- Thirty trucks will be used to fund California’s Hybrid and zero-emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project. CARB launched the HVIP project as part of California Climate Investments. It aims to accelerate battery-electric truck commercialization by offering first-come, first-served incentives that make advanced vehicles more affordable.
- The SWITCH_ON grant awarded to Volvo Trucks, which enables them to install battery-electric trucks throughout Southern California to facilitate regional freight distribution and drayage. Ten of these trucks are part the SWITCH_ON project. The funding is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Targeted Air Shed Grant Program, which is supplemented with South Coast AQMD to charge infrastructure. This will improve the air quality in the area.
This project will include 19 350 kW chargers and 38 dispensers to power NFI’s expanding battery-electric drayage fleet, which serves Long Beach and Los Angeles.
