Volta Trucks, a Sweden-based full-electric commercial vehicle manufacturer and services provider with three Michigan facilities including an office in Detroit, today partnered with HERE Technologies to provide location data and technology for the upcoming Volta Zero.
Volta Zero is a purpose-built full-electric 16-ton vehicle designed for urban logistics, reducing the environmental impact of freight deliveries in city centers. Designed from the ground up with an operating pure-electric range of 95–125 miles, it will eliminate an estimated 1.2 million tons of carbon dioxide by 2025.
It will use EV Range Assistant, a feature from HERE tailored for inner-city deliveries. It includes range prediction for trucks on route and allows for route planning including multiple delivery stops. Search, routing, real-time traffic, and turn-by-turn voice guidance will be available both on- and offline.
“I’m delighted to confirm HERE as the provider of our navigation system for the Volta Zero,
including the integration of what3words,” says Ian Collins, chief product officer of Volta Trucks. “HERE Technologies is another world-class partner for Volta Trucks, delivering the full features of embedded navigation but with the user experience of a mobile navigation application. With HERE Navigation, we can provide innovative and differentiated experiences to our drivers while simplifying our supply chain — a key benefit supporting our accelerated route to market.”
HERE Navigation will allow Volta to take advantage of navigation-as-a-service model to deliver a simplified infotainment supply chain and development process. The benefits include lowering costs, improving scalability, and allows Volta Trucks to deliver a unique in-vehicle-infotainment (IVI) system that can be remotely configured and monitored by customers, making it possible to consistently update and upgrade the driver experience.
Another driver-oriented technology that will be offered in what3words, a simple way to identify a location in a manner more precise than a street address. The technology divides the world into three meter squares and given each square a unique combination of three random words: the what3words address.
Drivers can enter what3words addresses directly into their in-truck systems, allowing them to easily navigate to locations as specific as building entrances or loading bays – ideal for busy drivers making multiple deliveries in a city.
“We are pleased to be putting the long experience gained working with leading OEMs to good use by helping Volta Trucks offer the best navigation experience to its truck drivers,” says Gino Ferru, general manager and senior vice president at HERE Technologies. “Navigating 16-ton trucks within city centers is a challenge in itself – with our truck attributes and our EV range calculator, Volta Zero drivers can focus on what matters the most — the road ahead.”
