It's time for a real big truck to put an end to the 7.5-ton "children's birthday party van". This is a trailer truck: the rated gross mass is 44 tons. Is it a V10 naturally aspirated diesel engine like in the 80s TV series? No, it is electrically powered and has 2400 Nm of torque. Is it just a short-lived treat?
The words of Günther Willers have always haunted my mind. He defended his future truck driver friend Franz Meersdonk: "He's a top driver!" "Because the first time they met, Franz Melsdenck unloaded a burning tire from the trailer – before the entire convoy caught fire. It was the plot of the TV series "Auf Achse", which was broadcast on German television from 1978 to 1996. I don't think that happens anymore.
On top of that, before driving a Volvo FH electric heavy-duty truck, I could only take a slight venture on an operating site within the rules of public road traffic. I just didn't get a real truck driver's license because I didn't have much money, I didn't have the time, and maybe not enough of both right now, and IHK-certified professional driver training requires both. Without this qualification, it means that there is no chance to fulfill a childhood dream and live a romantic life as a truck driver. Why not park an old Volvo FH12 in front of the house and have fun? Maybe unlikely. As for romance, it would have been an imagination, but now it no longer exists, if it ever existed.
However, technology is fascinating, and it still is, today. Even though I skipped the stage of diesel vehicles and chose to start with electric trucks instead. Well, now we only have one truck. But it doesn't really matter, because here, you will feel like you are the boss no matter what, including everyone and everything. And it's very easy to drive this Volvo, turn the gearbox lever to "A" gear and go. Easy, noiseless, powerful, it's that simple. Despite the fact that it has a continuous power of 490 kW (600 kW maximum power) and a maximum torque of 2400 Nm, the truck does not look like a trailer. Since the rear wheels (315/70 R22.5) immediately change their aggregation state due to underload, the traction control system also intervenes early, or you can treat the accelerator pedal completely kindly.
In fact, there is not much to do except adjust the driver's suspension seat in advance and the steering wheel with adjustable height and inclination. What about shifting gears? There is only one gear...... For example, Volvo has adopted the so-called I-Shift AT2412 gearbox on its electric trucks, which evolved from internal combustion engine models. Here, it only uses the so-called big shift, starting in seventh gear and then quickly shifting into tenth and eleventh gears. Why? In particular, the weight of the electric-specific gearbox will be reduced by about 150 kg? Because the manufacturer says it will simplify the production process. In terms of cost, it doesn't matter: the basic version costs more than 400,000 euros, which is more than three times that of the diesel version. More information, more on that later.
In short, there is absolutely no room for mediocre economy in the scenery, and the pleasure of leisurely driving is just too great. Admittedly, the idea of using the electric FH "Global Scheduled Freight" may have been a bit difficult for my long-distance driver role models, Franz and Günther, but in any case, our plans for today are just a lap around Allgäu. Even when the trailer is fully loaded, three permanent magnet synchronous electric motors from a German supplier (Volvo would not disclose further information) can drive the large truck fairly calmly and quietly.
Thanks to the standard dual-chamber air suspension, it is also very comfortable to drive, as the battery carries a higher axle load weight, even if the three electric motors are mounted slightly backwards in relation to the vehicle's centerline. The batteries are distributed on both sides between the axles (wheelbase is 3.80 meters) and can be divided into 6 groups with a capacity of 90 kWh each, providing a maximum capacity of 540 kWh at 600 volts. Depending on the application, this power system can also provide DC or AC power to auxiliary equipment. However, this is more for the demonstration of service towing and is actually more for trucks on construction sites. As for the range? Volvo was happy to point out that people could drive this truck from Munich to Berlin.
During the working hours allowed by law (9 hours, with a 45-minute break for every 4.5 hours of driving, which can be used to recharge), a range of 606 km (up to 250 kW charging) can be driven on a single charge, with a power consumption of 106 kWh/100 km and an average speed of 80 km/h. This is okay, but due to the inadequate charging infrastructure, it can only be used for long-distance driving in a limited range.
Machinery parts are shipped to Lebanon, will Gaunt and Franz also go? Probably not. So, why do it? Why not consider fuel cells? Because the infrastructure for hydrogen is not yet perfect. And, due to the limitations of driving and rest time, you don't necessarily need a longer range. Volvo is also working on this issue because it wants to be able to provide the right technology for every application, but it will take time. It is expected that by the beginning of the next decade, more than half of the cars produced each year will be electric. The charging process itself is like a car, except that the compartment has to be placed somewhere. The 10.5-tonne truck was then parked next to the charging station as compactly as possible. However, when the vehicle is moving, people don't care about these things, but focus on the magnificent mountain scenery presented on the huge windshield.
The FH electric truck headed south along the B12, while the Volvo XC40 Recharge took the lead. With 300 kilowatts of power, it can also be the perfect ride for "an obscure one", but this is only for SUVs on the straights. It doesn't like to turn very much, just like its brother. However, apart from the brand identity, Volvo Trucks and Volvo Cars have nothing in common in terms of technology and business. Many companies are part of the Volvo Group, but Volvo Car Company is not one of them. Its owner is China's Geely Group, which acquired Volvo from Ford in 2010.
Volvo Trucks strongly believes that electric drive technology is just as suitable for heavy-duty commercial vehicles as trucks, and other truck manufacturers share the same view. And is electric drive the right choice...... Oh, let's not talk about that yet. Instead, let's enjoy the tranquility and beauty in the FH electric truck, which of course also has kinetic energy recovery and three adjustable gears.
The truck drove to the location of the Ansorge transport company in Bliessenhofen, near Kaufbeuren. The company answered yes to whether it wants to use electric trucks and has already used five Volvo FH electric trucks. Fleet Manager Sebastian Wischhöfer explains: "We have decided to achieve carbon-neutral logistics services as soon as possible. ”
However, they are only doing this because they can only get 80% subsidy support for the purchase of electric trucks. The same is true for photovoltaic systems installed on the roof of the headquarters building, which can provide up to 1.7 megawatts of electricity. This allows the company to operate its own fast-charging facilities. And what about charging on the go? "We also have to look at the charging situation. That's why electric trucks are currently only running on clear routes between the company's origins for planning purposes, and "global scheduled freight" wasn't Ansorge's core business in the first place.
There is still a 20% price gap compared to diesel trucks. Of course customers pay for it, don't they? "No", admits the fleet manager, adding with a little frustration: "Although some potential customers are now carbon neutral logistics, they are not willing to pay for it. "Still, the company wants to move in the same direction and invest further. Ansorge has been working on this for some time and bought gas-powered trucks before electric trucks came along. After the initial skepticism, the drivers particularly appreciated the latter's suspension and noise comfort.
By contrast, sweaty trucker heroes Gaunt and Franz certainly won't have much of an opinion either, whether they're top drivers or not.
Volvo FH electric truck
bodywork
Two-seater truck, length 6180 mm, width 2500 mm, height 3933 mm, wheelbase 3800 mm, curb weight 10 490 kg (including six batteries), front axle/rear bearing load weight 8.5/12 t
dynamical system
Three liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous motors with a maximum system power of 600 kW (816 PS) and a continuous power of 490 kW (666 PS),
The maximum torque is 2400 Nm, and there are six ternary lithium batteries with a mass of 500 kg each and a total battery capacity of 540 kWh
Transmission system
Rear-wheel drive with 12 forward gears + 4 reverse I-Shift gearboxes
Chassis suspension
Front and rear air suspension, front and rear disc brakes,
前轮胎规格385/55 R22.5，
后双轮胎规格 315/70 R22.5
Base price
沃尔沃FH Electric Globetrotter 4×2
More than 400 000 euros