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.”
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.
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.
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.
May 4, 2026
To learn more about Volvo Trucks North America and the Volvo VNR Electric, visit the company website.
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For further information, please contact:
Allison Scudder
Public Relations Manager
Phone: 336-833-4679
Email: allison.scudder@volvo.com
Volvo Trucks North America, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, is one of the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturers in North America. Its Uptime Services commitment is delivered by a network of nearly 400 authorized dealers across North America and the 24/7 Volvo Trucks Uptime Center. Every Volvo truck is assembled in the Volvo Trucks New River Valley manufacturing facility in Dublin, Virginia, which meets the internationally recognized ISO 9001 standard for quality, 14001 standard for environmental care and holds a dual ISO 50001/Superior Energy Performance certification at the platinum level, indicating a sustained excellence in energy management. Volvo Trucks North America provides complete transport solutions for its customers, offering a full range of diesel, alternative-fuel and all-electric vehicles, and is part of the Volvo Trucks global organization.
Volvo Trucks supplies complete transport solutions for discerning professional customers with its full range of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Customer support is provided via a global network of dealers with 2,200 service points in about 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 12 countries across the globe. In 2025 approximately 120,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks’ work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care.