Volvo Trucks expands what electric trucks can do in North America
Volvo Trucks North America is expanding what electric trucks can do in North America, adding new capabilities to the Volvo VNR Electric.
New capability allows the Volvo VNR Electric to power equipment using its own batteries, without a diesel engine running in the background. The result is a fully electric solution that can handle demanding jobs with zero-tailpipe emissions and significantly less noise, building on Volvo’s proven performance in customer operations.
With the introduction of the mechanical electric power take-off (ePTO), the Volvo VNR Electric can now be built for a wider range of applications, including construction, waste collection, distribution and other vocational uses. That opens the door for more fleets to electrify operations that have traditionally depended on diesel — especially in cities and regional transport. The technology is already in use in Volvo’s international markets and is now being introduced in North America.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is among the first customers in North America to begin using this capability, deploying a Volvo VNR Electric straight truck configured as a multi-purpose municipal vehicle. The truck features a 15-foot cargo body that can function as a flatbed with a liftgate or be used as a dump truck with a hydraulic lift, demonstrating the flexibility electric trucks can now support a broader range of demanding applications.
“Volvo Trucks has been at the forefront of battery-electric innovation for several years, and we are continuing to expand what these vehicles can do for our customers in North America,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “With solutions like the mechanical electric power take-off, we are enabling fleets to electrify more demanding, real-world applications while building on a foundation of proven performance and a well-established support ecosystem.”
Electric leadership in North America and globally
The Volvo VNR Electric was first introduced in the U.S. and Canada in 2020, with series production beginning the same year. Today, more than 750 Volvo VNR Electric trucks are operating across the United States and Canada, collectively logging over 30 million zero-tailpipe emission miles and helping avoid an estimated 50,000 metric tons of CO₂. Globally, Volvo Trucks has delivered more than 5,700 electric trucks across 50 countries, which have together driven more than 250 million kilometers (155 million miles), reinforcing Volvo’s leading position in heavy-duty electrification.
An ecosystem designed for scale
Supporting this growing fleet is a continuously expanding network of Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealerships, providing specialized sales, service, and infrastructure expertise — an essential foundation for scaling electric truck adoption. Since the first Certified EV Dealer location launched in 2021, the network has grown to include 84 locations across 33 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces, with additional sites currently progressing through certification. This growing network reflects Volvo’s early investment in building a comprehensive electromobility ecosystem in North America.
About the mechanical electric power take-off (ePTO)
Expanding what electric trucks can do, the mech ePTO inverts traction battery DC voltage into three phase AC voltage to power an electric motor capable of producing 69.5 kW of continuous power at 271 Nm of torque, supporting a wide range of vocational applications.
CAPTION: Volvo VNR Electric equipped with electric power take-off (ePTO), enabling battery-powered operation of auxiliary equipment for zero-tailpipe emission jobsite applications.