The Volvo FL and FE Electric distribution trucks have received a significant battery upgrade, offering 42% more capacity and increasing the range to 450 km. According to Volvo Trucks, this significantly increases the usability of these electric trucks, making them suitable to “replace our customers’ entire fleet of diesel city trucks”.

The FL and FE Electric have been part of Volvo Trucks’ line-up since 2019, offering zero-emissions city-based distribution and garbage collection vehicles. AB InBev also uses the FE Electric to deliver beer in the city center of Louvain, close to the brewery.

Better batteries

Both models get a significant battery upgrade, offering 42% more capacity. That means that the FE Electric (garbage collection and light construction work) now has a 280-375 kWh battery of 3 to 4 modules, offering a range of up to 275 with the largest battery pack.

The FL Electric (for distribution use) can store up to 6 battery modules, with a total capacity of 280 to 565 kWh, which gives the model a range of 280-450 km. Enough to cover almost every urban distribution task and enough to have a little margin for externally powered equipment, such as garbage compactors or cranes.

The more energy-dense batteries also mean that fewer modules can be used for the same range of requirements, increasing the trucks’ payload. Each module counts for 500 kg. The updated Volvo FL and FE Electric are available to order from now, with deliveries starting in the fall of 2023.