Together with DB Schenker, Volta Trucks has finished the first test phase of its Zero electric truck.
The truck manufacturer worked with the operator on evaluations in Paris.
Specifically, the duo used a prototype Zero in real distribution environments in the French city.
The partnership between Volta Trucks and DB Schenker is built on a 1,500-strong order for vehicles.
In fact, it’s the largest order for medium-duty electrified trucks in Europe to date.
Voltas will be used by DB Schenker’s European terminals to transport goods from distribution hubs to city centres.
However, the two companies will explore further potential uses of the technology.
When in production, the rollout of the vehicles will begin at 10 locations in five countries.
DB Schenker’s Cyrille Bonjean explained why the first test phase was an important moment.
“We have been in close contact and continued to drive the development of the vehicle forward together,” said Bonjean.
“It was great to see the result live on the streets of Paris.”
Continuing, Bonjean said the first pilot vehicles would be added to the fleet at the beginning of 2023.
Meanwhile, Essa Al-Saleh, CEO of Volta Trucks, reinforced the partnership between it and the truck operator.
“When we announced [the order], we also entered into a partnership to work together to decarbonise urban logistics.
“The first use of a full-electric Volta Zero in a real-world testing environment is a significant proof point of the depth of the collaboration.”
He said the arrival of Volta Zero trucks on the streets of Paris was “extremely exciting”.
Furthermore, Al-Saleh commented that is was “a great forerunner to us delivering significant volumes of customer trucks at scale in the near future”.
Volta Trucks is one of a number of disruptive commercial vehicle manufacturers entering the market.
