Testing begins on prototype Volta Zero with full roll-out scheduled for next year

Anglo-Swedish electric vehicle start-up Volta Trucks has begun testing the first prototype Volta Zero at Horiba Mira in Nuneaton.

The move follows the unveiling of the first prototype chassis of the Volta Zero – said to be the world’s first purpose-built full-electric 16-tonne commercial vehicle designed specifically for inner city logistics.

Full-scale production of customer-specification vehicles will follow at the end of next year.

Affectionately named ‘Volta Minus One’ by development engineers, as the forerunner to the production-specification Volta Zero, the prototype vehicle uses the proposed production specification chassis frame and drivetrain of the finished vehicle and will test the truck's electro-mechanical and thermal properties. This includes the high-voltage battery supplied by Proterra, and the compact rear axle, electric motor and transmission eAxle unit from Meritor.

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The unconventional bodywork of the prototype is designed to protect the development driver from the elements when the vehicle is moving at speed. The production vehicle will feature a cargo box design, but the prototype uses a flatbed to allow engineers to add different levels and locations of loads to test its weight-carrying capacity.

The prototype Volta Zero will continue testing over the coming months. The forthcoming test and development programme with this and later-specification prototypes also includes periods of cold weather testing north of the Arctic Circle, and hot weather testing in southern Europe. The comprehensive programme will ensure that the production-specification Volta Zero vehicles deliver the durability and reliability expected by fleet operators and vehicle owners.

These learnings will be taken into the production of Pilot Fleet vehicles that will be tested and evaluated by key customers who have signed up for both testing and the option to purchase series production trucks. This is designed to develop their understanding of how the Volta Zero will integrate into their operations.

Volta Trucks chief product officer, Ian Collins, said; “The start of testing and evaluation of the first prototype Volta Zero is a major milestone on our journey towards production, and an exciting time for all of the Volta Trucks team and our customers. To have achieved this landmark moment in just eight months is a great example of the nimble and agile approach we have at Volta Trucks.

"We work at high pace to ensure that we can bring zero emission, full-electric commercial vehicles to market quickly, because our customers require vehicles as soon as possible. We need to go through a comprehensive and thorough development programme, but the start of prototype testing is evidence that we are on track to deliver production vehicles, on time, by the end of next year.”