Pitt Ohio has added two Class 7 Volvo VNR Electric box trucks to its Cleveland, Ohio, fleet.

The 26-foot battery-electric box trucks will be operated as part of the company’s less-than-truckload freight shipping business. Designed for local and regional delivery routes, the zero-tailpipe emission trucks will be used on a variety of pickup and delivery routes for customers in the greater Cleveland area.

The trucks, which feature a four-battery 264-kWh capacity with a 150-mile range, will be charged at a charging station as part of Pitt Ohio’s overall electrical system. The system includes the company's patented renewable energy microgrid, which is powered by eight wind turbines and 1,500 solar panels on site, generating up to 68 megawatts of annual energy.

“The company applies green fleet management practices, which start with maintaining and operating a modern fleet,” Pitt Ohio President Chuck Hammel III said in a press release. “We’re excited to see how these two zero-tailpipe-emission Volvo VNR Electric trucks add to our story. As our business grows, so do our miles driven by Pitt Ohio. Our increased use of renewable energy and sustainable transportation solutions is more critical than ever as we strive to reduce our carbon output.”

Pitt Ohio also has added a small solar strip to the roof of the Volvo VNR Electric box truck to provide renewable power to the liftgate.

To purchase the Volvo VNR Electric trucks and charging infrastructure, Pitt Ohio used funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program and a Clean Fuels Ohio grant.

The Volvo VNR Electric trucks will be supported and maintained by TransEdge Truck Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which is finalizing the training and infrastructure development needed to become a Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle Dealership.

In addition, Pitt Ohio is training its technicians on the proper safety procedures when servicing electric drivetrains and components, so they can safely perform battery-electric truck maintenance and repairs for customers.

Pitt Ohio’s Chief Operating Officer Jim Fields was named a 2022 HDT Truck Fleet Innovator for his all-in approach to sustainability.