Two new electric drivelines for greater flexibility

The new generation of Volvo’s heavy duty electric trucks aims to make electrification work for as many transport assignments as possible. And for Tatu Ljokkoi, Driver Development Manager at Volvo Trucks, that starts with giving customers flexibility.

“A truck can be seen as a work tool,” he says. “Different jobs need different tools. With this new range, we’ve made it much easier to build all kinds of electric trucks from a single base.”

Tatu works at the intersection of engineering and real-world operations – training drivers, advising fleets and helping Volvo’s engineers fine-tune drivetrains before production. And in this new range, he sees a major step forward.

A flexible foundation built around two drivetrains

Within the new generation of electric trucks, there are two clear variants:

• A long-range drivetrain designed to maximize energy and distance
• A versatile drivetrain designed for maximum flexibility across different applications

Crucially, both are engineered so you can drive the truck and power its body simultaneously or independently without extra motors or add-ons. It mirrors the functional simplicity of diesel.

This capability comes from a new purpose-built electric power take-off system (PTO). And it’s a gamechanger for body builders.

“With the new heavy-duty electric trucks, you now get more PTO options with fewer components and easier installation,” says Tatu. “So fleets have the same options as they have with diesel, but with silent, purpose-built and CO2-friendly drivetrains.”

The result? Builds that once took months can now be completed much sooner, whether that’s fitting a crane, refrigerator, refuse unit or any other specialized body.

Uptime: the same Volvo commitment, now strengthened for electric

Engineering flexibility is only part of the story. Keeping trucks productive is what matters to customers – and that philosophy hasn’t changed with electric.

“It’s the same commitment to uptime, maybe even stronger now,” says Tatu. “Volvo Trucks isn’t just about trucks; it’s about the people behind them – our engineers, our dealer network, our service technicians.”

Volvo has focused on bringing parts closer to where trucks operate and strengthening support networks, so that unexpected downtime is as short as possible. “When a customer has a problem, we solve it together,” adds Tatu. “That partnership mindset hasn’t changed.”

Driving electric: continuity with added capability

A common question from fleets switching from diesel is how different the trucks feel on the road. According to Tatu, the fundamentals are the same.

“If you already drive a diesel efficiently – using auxiliary brakes, anticipating traffic – you’re most of the way there,” he says. “The laws of physics are the same.”

The main shift is energy awareness. A diesel truck carries five to six times more energy, so small inefficiencies matter more in electric. But electric drivers adapt quickly, and with an efficient driving style, can make the energy last longer.

“For many drivers, efficient driving means getting home earlier, not sitting on a charger,” Tatu adds.

Despite years spent testing and refining electric trucks, Tatu’s passion remains undiluted.

“You need to drive the new electric trucks to truly understand how good they are,” he says. “These new drivetrains take everything we’ve learned and push it further. Once drivers experience it, they want to stick with electric.”

Find out more about Volvo’s electric truck range here.*