Volvo Group Awarded $10 Million to Electrify Transportation in the South Bronx

Volvo Group is proud to announce that its North American division (VGNA) and its Mack Trucks division today have been awarded $10 million by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to introduce clean transportation solutions to Hunts Point in the South Bronx.

“We are incredibly proud and honored to be chosen to lead such an important project,” said Keith Brandis, Volvo Group North America vice president of system solutions and partnerships. “Working closely with our community and supplier partners, we will use this award to effect real change in Hunts Point that will have a measurable impact on businesses and residents alike.”

The award is part of the New York Clean Transportation Prize program designed to advance solutions to reduce air pollution, enhance electrification and grow mobility options in underserved communities across the state.

The award-winning project proposal from VGNA and Mack Trucks consisted of the following key elements, designed to hasten the shift to electromobility in the region:

• Building a Multi-User Electric Vehicle Charging Hub: The Recharge Hub, to be built and run by VGNA partner Shell Recharge Solutions, will be a new, public, freight-focused charging hub on a 3.2-acre brownfield site in the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center (FDC). The hub will establish an ecosystem for zero-tailpipe emission freight in Hunts Point and address the high cost of fast-charging deployment.
• Establishment of the Electric Truckers Cooperative (ETC): With VGNA’s guidance, a new worker-owned, zero-tailpipe emission logistics company will be developed by the 6,000 member Drivers Cooperative, a driver-owned ride-hailing organization based in New York City. VGNA will provide four Class 7 Volvo VNR Electric models and one Mack LR Electric refuse model. The ETC will give members access to electric trucks that they otherwise might not be able to afford. The cooperative’s trucks will reside and be charged at the Recharge Hub.
• Creation of a Refrigerated Battery-Electric Fleet: VGNA will provide four additional Class 7 VNR Electric trucks to City Harvest, a food rescue organization. The project will model emissions reduction in a refrigerated fleet while addressing food insecurity in the Bronx. All four trucks will feature battery-electric transport refrigeration units (eTRUs) and utilize the EV freight hub for charging.