Penske Logistics and TICO, a North American pioneer in fleet services, terminal services, and terminal tractor manufacturing, are expanding their collaboration after months of testing Volvo Penta’s EV (electric vehicle) driveline solution in a fleet of TICO Pro-Spotter electric terminal tractors. A Penske-branded EV unit displayed in the TICO booth at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo this week at the Las Vegas Convention Center will give visitors a look at the vehicle and insights gathered from this pilot project.

“We have experienced success in running equipment with TICO,” said Paul Rosa, Senior Vice President, Procurement and Fleet Planning at Penske. “We are proud to have one of the largest and most diverse electric vehicle test fleets in the industry, and we are excited to trial the electric technology from Volvo Penta in a TICO truck.”

Volvo Penta announced the development of an emissions-free, electric terminal tractor using Volvo Group electromobility technology with OEM partner Tennessee-based TICO in 2021. Penske began a long-term trial of the solution in 2023, supported by a certified TICO EV dealer, to gauge performance and energy consumption, and collect operator feedback.

The Pro-Spotter EV, which entered full production in mid-2023, was designed to have comparable performance to traditional product lines in ports, distribution centers, and rail terminals. Besides helping customers reduce their carbon footprint and reach zero-emissions targets, the EV also aims to eliminate fuel costs, reduce maintenance fees, and increase uptime.

“We knew it would be mutually beneficial to partner with Penske for this type of pilot project,” said Mallery Pindar, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing for TICO. “They have a lot of electric vehicle experience already and are highly knowledgeable about the technology, which translates to offering the best possible products to the end customer.”

Performance reviews have been very positive during the Pro-Spotter EV trial period, according to Pindar.

“The operators have praised the power that the Volvo Penta electric driveline system offers, the smoothness and the quiet nature of the vehicles, as well as the ability to operate in both distribution centers and public roadways,” he said.

The electric terminal tractor driveline system was designed to reduce total weight and for faster acceleration, instant torque, and improved efficiency. Two battery packs sit between the chassis rails, giving operators a spacious cab, with the Volvo Group two-speed gearbox said to offer seamless shifting between gears, enhanced comfort, and a better overall driving experience.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution,” said Darren Tasker, Vice President of Industrial at Volvo Penta. “We need an ecosystem that caters to various stakeholders and combines different expertise to find the best solutions depending on the application, area of the country, and specific needs. We will continue to support our OEM base to help both them and their customers reach their goals.”

TICO’s ACT Expo booth, including the Penske version of the Pro-Spotter EV, is situated directly across the hall from Volvo Penta’s booth, where attendees can get a closer look at the truck’s technology via an electric driveline display.

Working with OEMs like TICO to develop effective solutions for customers like Penske to meet their net-zero needs is part of Volvo Penta’s multi-prong approach to decarbonization shown at ACT Expo. The strategy includes off-highway electrification, battery energy storage, renewable fuel combustion engines, and fuel cells.

From a booth with sister companies Volvo Construction Equipment and Volvo Trucks, Volvo Penta will highlight its partnership with Utility Innovation Group by displaying UIG’s modular, scalable battery energy storage systems. These units, powered by Volvo Penta, deliver the flexibility to support both mobile and stationary power needs.

Volvo Penta’s presence also includes the rollout of an electric fire truck from OEM partner Rosenbauer and the development of an electrified concept model for a highway-speed wheeled excavator with Gradall.

Tasker is kicking off ACT Expo’s New Frontiers for Low and Zero Emissions Vehicles: Off-Road conference session today, sharing his insights on the current state of the off-road industry and anticipated developments in sustainable power equipment based on Volvo Penta’s experience.