Northern California Trucking Outfit purchasing 15 Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks from Volvo
A Compton, California-based trucking company is purchasing 15 Volvo VNR Electric trucks for its land-bridge operations between two of the nations largest ports. of Los Angeles and Long Beach and nearby rail yards.
Tradelink Transport plans to utilize the Volvo electrics for work between the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and nearby rail yards. The Class 8 trucks would deliver zero-tailpipe emissions and noise reduction benefits to the communities which are located adjacent to the ports.
“Since we started our business in 1998, Tradelink Transport has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable transportation, having always utilized a mix of compressed natural gas trucks and the cleanest diesel models available,” Rigoberto Cea, president of Tradelink Transport, said. “ With this order of 15 Volvo VNR Electric trucks, we are excited to become one of the first fleets in the nation to deploy battery-electric trucks and supporting infrastructure into our operations at scale. Our drivers are excited to drive the new VNR Electric trucks. Most live within a 15-mile radius of our facility and see how vital it is for the trucking industry to reduce its emissions and community impact.”
Tradelink Transport, which primarily operates an employee-driver model, also is deploying battery-electric trucks in part as a driver recruitment and retention strategy. The 15 Volvo VNR Electric trucks will be deployed into its existing fleet of 40 Class 8 trucks at its Compton transfer facility, transporting a variety of products for major shipping companies.
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To determine which of its routes were the most ideal for battery-electric trucks, Tradelink Transport worked with TEC Equipment – La Mirada, a Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle Dealer, and Volvo Trucks North America, to simulate real-world Volvo VNR Electric truck trips via Volvo Trucks’ Electric Performance Generator (EPG) route planning tool.
The EPG application takes into consideration the vehicle configuration and battery capacity, environmental factors such as terrain and ambient temperature, and specific route details, including traffic patterns.
“The EPG route planning tool helped us identify a driver training opportunity by highlighting that the heavy traffic around the ports will allow significant regenerative braking. This in turn can increase range by returning up to 15% of the power back to the battery,” said Tracey Craik, regional sales director, TEC Equipment. “In addition to route planning and driver training, TEC Equipment has supported Tradelink Transport in growing its Volvo VNR Electric fleet by identifying zero-tailpipe emission vehicle funding opportunities available to fleets that operate in disadvantaged communities.” Ten of the 15 Volvo VNR Electric trucks were purchased with vouchers from California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). Launched by the California Air Resources Board in 2009.
