Bcomp delivers technology to Sweden’s Volta Trucks

Volta Trucks has entered a partnership with Bcomp to support the development of Volta Zero, a state-of-the-art fully-electric drivetrain in a traditional truck for inner-city freight deliveries. With the electric drivetrain, the Volta Zero will enable 24-hour usage for its operator while significantly reducing a city’s noise pollution. Its unique cabin design, which gives the driver a wide 220-degrees view, will make traffic much safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Having started from scratch and questioned all aspects of a truck for inner-city freight deliveries, Volta Trucks chose Bcomp’s ampliTex and powerRibs technologies for stiff and lightweight body panels. The use of ampliTex technical fabrics – reinforced by the powerRibs grid technology – in body panels enables significant weight-savings while causing up to 75% lower CO2 emissions compared to matching carbon fibre parts.

In addition to Bcomp’s flax fibres, Volta Trucks uses a novel biobased and biodegradable resin derived from Rape Seed oil to further reduce the footprint of the whole vehicle. At the end of their life, parts made from natural flax fibres can become a CO2-neutral energy source when incinerated through standard waste management system for heat recovery, without residual waste – as opposed to traditional composite materials that often end up in landfills. 

According to Bcomp, the construction of Volta Zero with  ampliTex and powerRibs will make the vehicle significantly safer. The  body panels will not shatter upon impact and cause a risk of further injury with sharp edges and debris but rather deform and finally fail in a more flexible and safer way. Moreover, flax composites, being non-conductive, they pose less risk in the event of a vehicle accident. 

(Press release/RAN)