Volta Trucks has confirmed that it has concluded an agreement with Meritor to supply the driveline for the Volta Zero full-electric truck. It will use Meritor’s Blue Horizon 14Xe integrated drive axle, which combines the motor, transmission and rear axle into a single unit. The layout allows the space between the chassis rails to be used to house the battery packs in the safest position.
The agreement paves the way for final specification trucks to be put into real-world operator trials later this year, ahead of series production in 2022. Volta Trucks CEO, Rob Fowler said “Confirmation of the strategic supplier for the electric drivetrain is another major milestone on our journey towards the production of the Volta Zero. As a pioneer and innovator in this unserved area of the electric vehicle marketplace, it is imperative for us to select experienced, world-class suppliers who share our ambition and values. The first use of Meritor’s revolutionary eAxle in a European commercial vehicle is an excellent example of our cutting-edge product development and supplier selection strategy in action.”
