There are a number of electric-only start ups that have come and gone from the electric commercial vehicle market – first was Modec which disappeared in 2011 and Volta, which has only recently been saved from bankruptcy thanks to a deal with Luxor Capital. Others remain on the scene such as Tevva and Electra, the latter using chassis from mainstream truck makers.

What is big news is that a major truck manufacturer has launched a truck range in battery electric only – there is no comparative diesel version available. What Volvo Trucks have done with their new Volvo FM Low Entry will become more commonplace in the (distant) future.

What is clear today is that if you want to buy a new low entry cabbed truck from Volvo Trucks, then it will have to be an electric one.

Sure this is a niche within a niche, of course you can still buy a diesel version of the standard FM cab, but it certainly indicates the shift towards battery trucks for urban operation.

Volvo FM Low Entry Electric’s Municipal Role

As more cities aim to reduce their emission levels, demand is rapidly rising for zero-exhaust emission trucks that can meet these new customer requirements. Volvo Trucks’ latest addition to its electric truck program is a heavy-duty truck specifically developed to handle a wide variety of transport assignments in cities, such as waste management, distribution and construction.

Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks, says: “This zero tailpipe emission truck is a great addition to our electric range, perfectly suited for working in city centres and designed with the driver in mind. It’s powerful, yet smooth to drive and easy to manoeuvre.

“The new Volvo FM Low Entry is perfectly in line with our ambitions to expand our electric offer, enabling even more customers to reduce their carbon emissions.”

Volvo FM Low entry electric
The FM Low Entry has been awarded a five-star Direct Vision Standard rating by Transport for London’s incoming regulations

Five Star Direct Vision Standard

The new truck’s low driving position offers the driver excellent visibility and control of their surroundings. As a result, the FM Low Entry has been awarded a five-star Direct Vision Standard rating by Transport for London’s incoming regulations, due to come into effect for heavy duty vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2024*.

Based on Volvo’s well-known FM model, the spacious cab has been lowered and moved forward, and the low instep and flat floor makes it easy to enter and exit the truck. These design features create an ergonomic, comfortable and efficient working environment for drivers in busy city locations.

The new FM Low Entry will initially be sold in Europe, Turkey, Australia and South Korea, with sales starting in the first quarter of 2024, and production starting in the second quarter of 2024.

A Broad Volvo Electric Truck Range

With this new all-electric city truck, Volvo now has a total of six electric models in its range. In 2019 Volvo Trucks became the first global manufacturer to start series production of heavy electric trucks, and the company is aiming for 50 per cent of global sales of new Volvo trucks to be electric by 2030.

Key Volvo FM Low Entry features:

  • The standard specification fulfils Transport for London’s five-star Direct Vision Standard requirements.
  • The truck is equipped with Volvo Dynamic Steering system for effortless steering and reduced vibrations.
  • Three seat options are available, with customers able to opt for zero, one or three passenger seats. With the latter option, the three passenger seats are placed at the back of the cab not in the view of the driver to minimise blind spots and contribute to excellent visibility.
  • The many ergonomic features include a low instep, flat floor and well-positioned grab handles for easy and safe exit of the cab.
  • The truck is available with Volvo’s new advanced Camera Monitoring System.
  • It’s available in two heights: Sleeper cab (1,575 mm) and Extended/High sleeper (1,945 mm).
  • Axle configurations available: 4×2, 6×2, 6×4, 8×2, 8×4
  • GVW: 19-32 tonnes
  • Motor: 330 kWh
  • Battery: 360 kWh (4 batteries)
  • Range: Up to 200 km (dependent on several parameters such as load weight, driving style, driving cycle, topography, temperature, etc).
  • Charging: 250 kW (DC), 43 kW (AC)
  • Wheelbase: 3,900-6,000 mm