Volvo Trucks North America reported last week that it is collaborating with electric fleet charging and energy management start-up AMPLY Power at Silicon Valley-based The Innovation Lab at Volvo Group.
The Mountain View, Calif., venue enables Volvo Trucks to work with start-ups to integrate real-world insights, analyze emerging trends, and validate new products and services designed to advance electromobility – and improve economic and environmental sustainability goals – among customers, according to Volvo.
“Volvo Trucks is committed to continuing to lead the global movement to decarbonize transport,” commented Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “When we commercialized our Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric model, we recognized the critical need to work with an array of partners to build a successful ecosystem for electromobility – considering everything from the point of sale, to building a comprehensive service network, developing a skilled workforce, and ensuring access to a stable and cost-effective power supply. Volvo Trucks is collaborating with companies across the industry to demonstrate a range of strategies to achieve these goals, including supporting emerging solutions providers through our Innovation Lab at Volvo Group.”
Volvo observed that AMPLY’s input will help to ensure electric truck fleets are equipped with the necessary charging infrastructure and energy management services. AMPLY, which joined the Innovation Lab in 2019, pointed out that its collaboration with Volvo Trucks focuses on customer programs to maximize uptime and cost savings for electric Class 8 heavy-duty truck fleets, increase energy efficiency, and reduce total cost of ownership.
“The Volvo Trucks North America and AMPLY collaboration offers a simple low-risk solution to deploying and scaling heavy-duty electric fleets,” remarked AMPLY Power CEO and Founder Vic Shao. “Customers need integrated solutions that offer guaranteed performance and uptime of their EV fleet, while optimizing charging operations for lowest cost energy.”
Volvo and AMPLY are working on bi-coastal projects with two heavy-duty electric truck fleets. New York City-based Manhattan Beer Distributors, one of the United States’ largest beverage distributors, is one of the customers.
“The goal of the Innovation Lab is to create a pathway where Volvo Group and start-ups can co-create and jointly validate new digital solutions and business propositions with Volvo Group stakeholders and customers,” said Fredy Daza, director of the Innovation Lab at Volvo Group Connected Solutions. “The Manhattan Beer Distributors project is a real-world example of how Volvo Group is accelerating advanced transportation solutions by collaborating with startups in the Silicon Valley ecosystem.”
Five Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric trucks, operating on distribution routes with heavy payloads and return-to-base operations, comprise the Manhattan Beer deployment. AMPLY noted the trucks boast a 150-mile range and 264-kilowatt-hour battery capacity, requiring approximately 70 minutes to charge to 80%.
“We are pleased to have AMPLY Power managing the charging operations for our new electric trucks and ensuring our deployment of EVs is seamless and cost-effective,” said Juan Corcino, Manhattan Beer’s senior director of fleet operations and sustainability. “As a leader in sustainable transportation for New York, we have long focused on minimizing the environmental footprint of our operations, and AMPLY’s charge management services help us further these goals cost-effectively.”
