Volvo Penta’s electric driveline takes center stage at TOC Europe

After its 2019 TOC appearance as a proof of concept, Volvo Penta’s purpose-built electric driveline is now powering a series of TICO’s electric terminal tractors as well as Rosenbauer’s electric fire trucks.

Volvo Penta's electromobility solution takes pride of place at TOC Europe this week, the major port and terminal exhibition being held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The display provides port operators and OEM visitors to its 30m2 booth (Hall 1, F28) with a first-hand opportunity to inspect the electric driveline. Visitors can speak to Volvo Penta experts and discover how this example of Volvo Penta’s commitment and progress towards net-zero emissions not only has the potential to enable effortless compliance with increasingly stringent environmental legislation, but also enhance port operations and improve total cost of ownership (TCO).

In taking a full system, modular approach as it seeks to expand the adoption of more sustainable power solutions – and targeting the material handling sub-segment in particular – Volvo Penta is making close collaboration with OEMs and port operators the cornerstone of its strategy. By leveraging the benefits of Volvo Group proven technology and competence, a complete, modular, solution can be tailored to the specific needs of each partner.

“At Volvo Penta we see ourselves as partners, not suppliers, to our OEM customers,” explains Anders Konradsson, Vice President Global Industrial Sales at Volvo Penta. “We work closely with our customers to create tailored solutions based on their requirements. As part of the Volvo Group, we can leverage proven technology and competence from Volvo Trucks, Volvo Buses and Volvo Construction Equipment. We combine this with our customer, market and application knowledge, allowing us to optimize the design and adapt the complete electric driveline system for a specific vehicle, considering the exact usage, climate and environment it will operate in.”

Volvo Penta’s system supplier approach is evident in the company’s electrification projects, most notably with TICO, a North American pioneer in fleet services, terminal services and terminal tractor manufacturing. The two companies announced their collaboration in late March 2021, and by December the first of several emissions-free, fully electric terminal tractor prototypes were ready to undergo testing with TICO’s leading fleet partners. A fuller suite of data-driven services from Volvo Penta – such as extended warranties and active monitoring services – will enable customers and fleet owners such as TICO to eliminate fuel costs and reduce the need for spare parts, maintenance and stoppages.

Highlighting the versatility of Volvo Penta’s electromobility solutions, and how they can be fine-tuned to match the customer’s exact needs, a purpose-built electric driveline was engineered for the electric fire truck of the future – the Rosenbauer RT (Revolutionary Technology) and RTX. The RT is enjoying real-world success with fire departments in Berlin and Amsterdam, where the trucks have responded to hundreds of emergency calls. The new vehicle architecture that was enabled by its emissions-free Volvo Penta electric driveline allowed Rosenbauer to implement a host of other upgrades in terms of functionality, ergonomics, safety and manoeuvrability. The US-compliant RTX model arrived at the Los Angeles Fire Department in California last month. As part of the Volvo Group, Volvo Penta is working with multiple tracks and scenarios – such as combustion engines using renewable fuels, battery electric and fuel cell electric – with the aim of becoming 100% fossil-free by 2050 in line with the Science Based Target commitment. Volvo Penta plans to reach net-zero value chain emissions by 2040. 

“Volvo Penta will continue to improve and stay competitive with todays’ technology – such as our current portfolio of Stage V-compliant engines – while at the same time accelerate the transformation into new sustainable technologies and solutions,” concludes Anders. “The transition to fossil-free power requires a range of solutions, and we will see a step-wise transformation in the industry, segments, regions, and markets. Much of our expertise and solutions that play such an important role in our commitment towards providing sustainable power solutions have a solid foothold in the mature power solutions of today. TOC Europe is being held at the Rotterdam Ahoy from 14 - 16 June 2022.