Volvo delivers first VNR Electrics to East Coast customer

One of five Volvo VNR Electric regional hauling trucks charging at Manhattan Beer Distributors.

Volvo Trucks North America announced it has delivered its first Class 8, battery-electric regional hauling trucks on the East Coast to its customer Manhattan Beer Distributors. Five zero exhaust emission Volvo VNR Electric trucks are joining the New York City-based beer and beverage distributors’ fleet of more than 400 delivery trucks to service customers throughout New York City, Long Island, and the surrounding counties.

“By working together with customers like Manhattan Beer Distributors that are dedicated to reducing their environmental impact, Volvo Trucks has been able to make meaningful progress on the path toward widescale commercial deployment of VNR Electrics from coast to coast,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America.

To support the charging of its battery-electric fleet, Manhattan Beer Distributors has installed three Level 3 dc fast chargers at its Bronx facility that can fully recharge its Volvo VNR Electric trucks up to 80% in 70 minutes. Manhattan Beer Distributors’ battery-electric trucks were the first Volvo VNR Electric models to enter full serial production at Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley manufacturing plant in Dublin, Va., which assembles all Volvo trucks sold in North America.

“As one of the largest beverage distributors in the U.S., Manhattan Beer Distributors recognizes the broad sustainability impact that we can make by eliminating our fleet’s tailpipe emissions,” said Simon Bergson, founder, president & CEO of Manhattan Beer Distributors. “Volvo Trucks has long supported our sustainability goals and demonstrated that their low- and zero-emission truck lineup provides the safety, performance, and reliability we’ve come to expect.”

Volvo names first East Coast EV certified dealer

Volvo also announced that Milea Truck Sales and Leasing, serving New York City and the tri-state area, is the second Volvo Trucks North America dealership and the first on the East Coast to become a Volvo EV Certified Dealer. With this certification, Milea’s sales team is, together with the VTNA electromobility team, fully trained to consult with customers in the transition towards Class 8 electric trucks, evaluate which of their routes are the most ideal for electromobility, which grants and incentives are available to apply for, how to select the right Volvo VNR Electric configuration for their transport needs and what to consider when investing in charging infrastructure. Its service technicians have also been fully trained and equipped to safely perform battery-electric truck maintenance and repairs for Volvo VNR Electric trucks in operation.

A technician services a Volvo VNR Electric truck at Milea Truck Sales and Leasing, Volvo Trucks’ first East Coast EV certified dealer.

“Volvo Trucks’ comprehensive Volvo EV Certified Dealer program gives our customers the confidence of knowing that they are supported by the world’s leading experts in commercial electric truck technology and service,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “Milea, located in an upcoming hot-spot for electromobility in the U.S., will be especially influential in our efforts to enhance commercial deployment of Class 8 battery-electric trucks.”

A family-owned and -operated company established in the Bronx in 1980, Milea is a growing commercial truck sales, leasing and modification business, with locations in the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn, and a fourth location opening soon in Westchester County. The dealership group has made significant investments to upgrade its facilities to service battery-electric vehicles, such as a dedicated service bay and infrastructure for charging, in addition to stocking up on necessary parts and key components for the Volvo VNR Electric to secure best-in-class truck uptime and operations.

“As Volvo Trucks’ first Volvo EV Certified Dealer on the East Coast, we’re excited to help our fleet customers make the successful transition to electric trucks in their fleet operations,” said Barry Milea, president of Milea Truck Sales and Leasing. “Volvo Trucks is on the cutting edge in EV commercial product offerings and production, and the Volvo VNR Electric, along with the Volvo EV Certified Dealer program, is the gold standard.”

Volvo Trucks designed the VNR Electric as a sustainable transport solution for fleet operators supporting local and regional distribution, drayage, pickup and delivery, and food and beverage distribution.