Stockholm-based Volta Trucks is gearing up to launch its first customer ‘studio’ in Paris, as it prepares for the first full-electric Volta Zero commercial vehicles to start operating on the city’s streets by the end of the year. The studio will be the first of the automaker’s several “in-market” headquarter offices.
Volta Zero is the “world’s first purpose-built” full-electric 16-tonne vehicle designed for urban logistics, reducing the environmental impact of freight deliveries in city centres. Designed with an operating pure-electric range of 150 – 200 kms (95 – 125 miles), the Volta Zero will eliminate an estimated 1.2M tonnes of CO2 by 2025, according to the company.
Founded in 2017, the full-electric commercial vehicle manufacturer and services provider will conduct its business operations and welcome customers during the sales process in its Paris studio – an experience it says will be “educational, informative while displaying the essence of the Volta Trucks brand.”
“Customers tell us that they don’t want to visit a large, old-school, out-of-town showroom where, inevitably, the truck they want isn’t on display. They would like to have discussions with a product expert in an intimate and non-pressured environment,” the company’s chief executive, Essa Al-Saleh said.
He added that having the commercial operations and staff all together under one roof will also ensure that whatever the topic of customer conversation, a Volta Trucks expert will always be on hand.
Under current French laws, diesel engine vehicles will be banned from operating in Paris from 2024 as all cities with more than 150,000 residents adopt new Low Emissions Zones. As part of this legislation, the French government is offering incentives of up to €100,000 (£85,200) for the transition to zero-tailpipe emission vehicles. Paris is one of two EU launch markets for Volta Trucks, in addition to London.
The Volta Trucks Studio concept complements the company’s recently announced ‘Volta Trucks Hub’ facility that will deliver its ‘Truck-as-a-Service’ maintenance and aftersales operations, in addition to hosting admin offices, a Volta Trucks Academy training centre, and a call centre. Volta Trucks now has a total order book of around 6,500 vehicles, worth €1.4 billion, according to the automaker.