Volvo, Mack dealer for New York City region now EV certified

As a Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) Dealer, Gabrielli is ready to support customers interested in adding Volvo VNR Electric trucks to their fleets. (Photo: Volvo Truck)

Gabrielli Truck Sales, one of the largest and oldest commercial truck dealers in the Northeast, has been designated as a Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) dealer for both Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks. The dealer has completed the required sales and service training as well as the necessary facility updates at its Jamaica, NY, location to achieve certification by both brands to support customers in adding Volvo VNR Electric trucks and Mack Class 8 refuse vehicles to their respective fleets.

Gabrielli Truck Sales is centrally located in the state, enabling it to support the New York City (NYC) region, including the John F. Kenny (JFK) International Airport, Volvo Trucks pointed out in announcing the certification.

“Volvo Trucks continues to make meaningful progress on the path toward widescale commercial deployment of VNR Electrics from coast to coast with our second Certified EV Dealer in New York State and the third in the Northeast region — a signal to the market that local and regional freight transport can be reliably accomplished with zero-tailpipe emissions,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “Gabrielli Truck Sales is in a key location to support fleets that operate in the boroughs covered by EV incentive programs, including the New York City Clean Trucks Program and the NY Truck Voucher Incentive Program, both of which are helping to make this region a growing hot spot for electromobility in the U.S.”

Gabrielli is Mack Trucks’ first dealer in the state to become EV certified. With this designation, Gabrielli is now equipped to service and support the Mack LR Electric, the company’s first electric Class 8 refuse vehicle, for the NYC region and the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY).

Gabrielli is now fully equipped to service and support the Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle. (Photo: Mack Trucks)

“Mack Trucks is pleased that Gabrielli Truck Sales made the investment to become a Certified EV Dealer,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president of sales and commercial operations. “Gabrielli and Mack are well-equipped to help EV customers, as well as all customers, receive the sales, service and support they expect from Mack.”

“Gabrielli Truck Sales chose to upgrade the JFK facility to ensure that we were ready to meet the future needs of Mack customers like DSNY that choose to purchase electric vehicles, like the Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle,” commented Andrew Kanas, Gabrielli Truck Sales director of business development. “Working hand-in-hand with Mack Trucks, Gabrielli is committed to be on the leading edge of the EV movement, and we plan to certify all of our dealerships in the future.”

To become a Certified EV Dealer, dealers must meet various stringent safety, charging, training, infrastructure and tooling requirements. Gabrielli’s sales team is now trained to consult with fleets in the region on how battery-electric vehicles fit in their operation and ensure the right configuration based on their fleet’s application. This includes evaluation of routes to determine which are the most ideal for electromobility, what to consider when investing in charging infrastructure and available grants and incentives to offset project costs, Volvo Trucks pointed out. Gabrielli is also installing high-powered EV charging infrastructure to service the battery-electric vehicles and provide charging capabilities to local fleets as they begin adopting the vehicles.

In addition, Gabrielli now has a dedicated EV service bay equipped with the diagnostic tools needed to service the vehicles. Two technicians have completed the technical training to service electric drivetrains and component, plus have been equipped to safely perform battery-electric truck maintenance and repairs and outfitted with personal protective equipment for working with high-voltage systems. The dealership also maintains a stock of key parts and components for the EV models.

“Gabrielli wants to be on the leading edge of the EV movement, and we have been seeing increased interest in battery-electric trucks from our customers,” Kanas stated. “We are one of the largest dealerships serving New York City, and we wanted to ensure we are ready to assist fleets locally and throughout the Northeast region with their transition to electric trucks.”