Volvo VNR Electric Gets Power Takeoff Upgrade for Vocational Work

Key Details Volvo Trucks North America unveiled an electric power takeoff (ePTO) system for the VNR Electric tractor at the 2026 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas. The ePTO converts the battery's DC voltage into three-phase AC voltage to power an electric motor capable of producing 69.5 kilowatts of continuous power. Why It Matters This upgrade lets regional-haul tractors run job site equipment and hydraulic systems directly from their batteries without needing a diesel engine. Volvo expects the technology to attract construction, waste collection, distribution, and other vocational fleets looking to go electric. What's Next California's Department of Transportation will be among the first North American customers, deploying a VNR Electric configured as a multipurpose municipal vehicle with a 15-foot cargo body that functions as a flatbed or dump truck. Volvo Group's European brands have already successfully integrated this technology, proving its real-world reliability. Market Status More than 750 VNR Electrics are currently operating in the United States and Canada since the model launched in 2020. Volvo is also working toward a battery-electric version of its VNL tractor, with orders expected to open later in 2026.