- Volvo Trucks unveiled a new, extended-range version of its FH Aero Electric big rig.
- A new, more compact rear electric axle opens up extra space for more batteries.
- According to the company, the FH Aero Electric With Extended Range can drive up to 435 miles on a full charge.
Sweden’s Volvo Trucks unveiled a new, longer-range version of its FH Aero Electric truck that can cover up to 435 miles (700 kilometers) on a full charge. That’s roughly 60 miles more than the regular version of the same truck, and it’s all down to advancements in electric motor technology, a higher-capacity battery, and aerodynamic enhancements.
The Volvo FH Aero Electric with Extended Range is powered by a newly designed electric rear axle that integrates two electric motors, all the necessary power electronics, a six-speed transmission, and a 13-tonne traditional axle. Depending on the configuration, the power output is 570 horsepower (420 kilowatts) or 625 hp (460 kW).
Photo by: Volvo Trucks
Thanks to the smaller rear e-axle, Volvo Trucks made room for a bigger high-voltage battery. On the extended-range FH Electric Aero, customers can spec six or eight individual L-shaped packs, with a maximum usable capacity of 725 kilowatt-hours.
By comparison, the standard FH Aero Electric truck comes with up to 540 kWh of energy capacity, allowing it to drive up to 373 miles (600 km) on a full charge. Its drive unit is also different, with two electric motors and an eight-speed transmission with powershift. Both versions are available with an electric power take-off (ePTO) that can export energy from the battery to third-party systems like refrigeration units or hydraulic pumps.
The new 435-mile big rig is equipped with an MCS charging connector that enables it to accept up to 700 kW of power from a potent enough charger. When hooked up to a megawatt-capable DC fast charger, the extended-range Volvo FH Aero can go from 20-to-80% in about 50 minutes, while a 350 kW CCS fast charger will top up the batteries in about 85 minutes.
According to the Swedish truck maker, the new long-range model has a Gross Combination Weight (GCW) of up to 48 tonnes, while the payload capacity is up to 28 tonnes. A single, 6×2 configuration with a lightweight tax axle is offered, while the cab options include a Globetrotter and a Globetrotter XL version.
This is all good news if long-distance hauling is the only requirement, but that’s rarely the case in the trucking industry, and Volvo knows it. That’s why its regular FH Aero Electric model is much more customizable. While its driving range may be shorter, it offers a gross combination weight of up to 65 tonnes, as well as several air-suspended axle configurations, from 4×2 to 8×4.
