The Volta Zero, the first purpose-built full-electric large commercial vehicle, will make its French debut at a series of high-profile customer and supplier events. These will start in Paris on Monday 15 February and run for four weeks.
For the first time in France, the Volta Zero will be displayed with Swoopin, the global provider of sustainable transportation and urban logistics services, in south-east Paris. In early January, Swoopin confirmed the use of the Volta Zero as part of their existing zero-emission fleet of electric vans, cars and eBikes. These will support their last-mile distribution hubs and help cities meet ambitious CO2 emissions targets.
Over the four-week event many potential and existing customers, fleet operators and suppliers will experience the Volta Zero, as well as introductions to local legislators and policymakers.
Under current legislation, internal combustion engine commercial vehicles will be banned from operating in Paris from 2024, as with all French cities with a population greater-than 150,000 residents adopt new low emissions zones.
As part of this legislation, the French government is offering incentives up to £44,000 (€50,000/$60,530) for the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, making the acceleration of fleet electrification of paramount importance to French fleet operators.
Rob Fowler, Volta CEO, said; “With the imminent changes in legislation in French cities, it’s clear that the adoption of electric commercial vehicles needs to accelerate very quickly. Currently, there is a real shortage of electrified products on offer to fleet operators, but with the Volta Zero, we can show our important French customers that we have a compelling solution that meets their needs.
“When our founders created Volta Trucks, they didn’t want to just offer a zero-emission vehicle, but to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles as a whole, especially in city centres where air quality is at its worst. In bringing the Volta Zero to France, we also hope to stimulate a wider awareness of fully-electric vehicles in the commercial sector and thus, help improve the air quality and environment for all French city inhabitants.”
