A fully loaded Volvo FH Electric truck has exceeded its official range and used 50% less energy than its diesel counterpart in the first independent energy efficiency test conducted in Germany.

According to Volvo Trucks, the fully-electric, zero-exhaust emission model - a Volvo FH Electric with 490kW of power - was loaded with a gross combination weight of 40t and was driven by German trucking journalist Jan Burgdorf on the Green Truck Route, a 343km long route that includes a variety of motorways, hilly terrains and tighter roads. The route is often used for testing different manufacturer's trucks in a wide range of conditions.

“I have to say, when driving this truck it is as agile, or even more agile, than a diesel truck. Drivers will be very surprised about how easy it is to drive, how quiet it is and how well it responds. There are no vibrations whatsoever,” said Burgdorf.

The Volvo FH Electric kept an average speed of 80kmh over the whole route, which was on par with the Volvo FH equipped with a diesel engine and the fuel efficiency package I-Save. Based on the energy consumption of only 1.1kWh per km, the electric truck had a total range of 345km on one charge.
“These test results show that it is possible to drive up to 500km during a regular work-day, with a short stop for charging, for example during lunch time,” said Tobias Bergman, Press Test Director at Volvo Trucks.

In the Green Truck Route tests, the Volvo FH Electric used 50% less energy than a Volvo FH with a comparable diesel engine, and Bergman added: “The electric driveline is very efficient, making the all-electric truck a very powerful tool for reducing CO2 emissions.”

Volvo Trucks said its goal is that electric vehicles will account for half of its truck sales in 2030 and in 2040, 100% well-to-wheel based CO2-reduction for new trucks sold.

“We are committed to the Paris Agreement on climate change. Science-based targets have been set and we are taking action to fast-forward the development to dramatically lower CO2 emissions related to on-road freight transports. I believe that the broad electric range we already have on the market is very clear proof of that,” said Bergman.

Facts about the test and the truck

Gross combination weight: 40t
Average speed: 80kmh
Energy consumption: 1.1 kWh per km
Battery capacity: 540 kWh
Output power: 490 kW continuous power
Total test track distance: 343km
Total range based on one charge: 345km

Facts about Volvo’s range of electric trucks:

Volvo Trucks has a range of six all electric trucks designed to cover many different transport assignments.
The Volvo FH, FM and FMX Electric models have a GCW of up to 44t. Sales are ongoing in Europe and production will start in the second half of 2022.

Serial production in Europe of the Volvo FL and FE Electric, for city distribution and refuse handling, started in 2019.

Production of the Volvo VNR Electric for North America began in 2020.