Volvo Group, the parent company of Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks, recently announced the signing of a Letter of Intent with Pilot Company to begin infrastructure buildout for public charging.
According to the deal, Volvo Group will provide expertise in helping to identify which locations should be prioritized for electromobility infostructure, based on current and expected battery-electric truck adoption, consumer charging requirements, and the availability of federal and state funding to help offset expense. Meanwhile, Pilot company plans to install high-performance charging infrastructure at select, mutually identified Pilot and Flying J travel center locations across the U.S.
Once in place, the Pilot and Flying J charging network will be open to heavy-duty vehicles of all brands. In addition, Pilot company recently embarked on a $1 billion ‘New Horizons’ initiative to upgrade and prepare its locations for the future of travel, further enabling the development of charging networks for both passenger vehicles and Class 8 trucks.
“As we work to build a more sustainable, decarbonized transport system, our team firmly believes that partnership is the new leadership. We look forward to working side by side with Pilot Company, and combining our unique industry insights, expertise, and resources to develop a comprehensive, nationwide charging network,” says Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “Our VNR Electric customers, as well as other fleets looking to adopt battery-electric trucks, will have peace of mind that they can access a reliable and robust, publicly accessible charging network strategically located along major transportation corridors, enabling them to extend their operating radius and decarbonize even more of their routes.”
Shameek Konar, CEO at Pilot, also adds that the companies “are committed to developing transportation solutions that will guide and support the industry through the energy transition. Joining forces with Volvo, an expert in freight technology, aligns with our goal to support sustainable transportation infrastructure and to meet our customers where they are headed, now and in the future.”
