Guinness world record for modified Volvo FH electric truck

Controlled conditions enable more than a thousand kilometres on single charge

 

A modified Volvo FH has laid claim to an electric truck distance record – 1,099km on a single charge.

Three European firms – DPD Switzerland, Continental and Futuricum – were involved in the Guinness World Record attempt for the longest distance covered by an electric truck without a recharging stop.

E-truck brand Futuricum modified the base Volvo FH for package delivery company DPD Switzerland, with the actual truck used for the record attempt pulled from its fleet after six months of active delivery duty.

“For DPD Switzerland, we have converted a Volvo FH to an electric drive,” Futuricum parent company, Designwerk Products AG CEO Adrian Melliger said.

“The 19-ton truck now has over 680 hp and, with a capacity of 680 kilowatt hours, the largest truck battery in Europe on board.”  


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Along with the massive battery pack, low rolling resistance EfficientPro tyres were provided by tyre manufacturer Continental.

“The upturn in electric mobility has put an even greater focus on the importance particularly rolling resistance optimized tires,” Continental head of product development truck tyres Hinnerk Kaiser said.

“Our tyres enable high mileage and extremely low rolling resistance and thus offer the essential characteristics for the economical operation of electrically powered commercial vehicles.

“The EfficientPro is a tried-and-tested model that has been developed especially for long-distance transportation and focuses on range and low rolling resistance.”

The location of the record was Continental’s in-house test center nicknamed the ‘Contidrom’ near Hanover, Germany, with the banked 2.8km oval providing ample space for the Futuricum truck to ‘stretch its legs’.

In total, two drivers completed 392 laps in shifts of 4.5 hours each at an average speed of 50 km/h, which the participants say mimicks the truck’s daily average.

Despite “less-than-ideal weather conditions”, the record-breaking partners said it took just under 23 hours to be declared the Guinness World Record title of the longest distance covered by an electric truck without a charging stop, with 1,099 kilometers driven.

“We decided to invest in electric mobility at an early stage,” DPD Switzerland strategy and innovation director Marc Frank said.

“The Futuricum truck has been traveling between the depot in Möhlin near Basel to the distribution center in Buchs/Zurich for about six months now.

“The e-truck can master the roughly 300 kilometers every day without any problems.

“We are proud that we have now been able to officially document our performance level.”

The record-breaking effort, available below, includes the quip: “Diesel, you have to taste it; if not, you’re in the wrong place.” 

 

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