Since Volta Trucks emerged from administration in December, its new owner, Luxor Capital, has worked to recapitalise the company and develop a simplified and capital-efficient business plan.

The new UK-registered company, Volta Commercial Vehicles Ltd, has commenced re-launch activities with a team of around 150 employees to bring its unique electric vehicles back to the streets of European cities. Vehicle development for series production of the 16-tonne and 18-tonne versions of the Volta Zero is ongoing and timed to meet the GSR-2 (General Safety Regulation) standards, effective in July. Customer trials in live operations have started in UK, with a larger fleet of vehicles to be available in the second quarter for Germany, France, Nordics, and Austria. Joint planning with Steyr Automotive in Austria targets resuming series production later this year.

“We’re looking to confirm orders with existing customers, reassemble the supply chain, complete a crucial fundraising round, and ensure series vehicles are ready for delivery. Right now, we are in the midst of discussions with all our suppliers and partners to enable these objectives. We have learned a lot from our challenging journey and are emerging stronger and more focused than ever.” Said Essa Al- Saleh, CEO of the new Volta Trucks Commercial Vehicles Ltd.

Luxor Capital, the new owner and long-term financial backer, supports a funding plan that includes a round of convertible financing over the next month and a larger Series-A round for investors towards the middle of the year. This funding will bring Volta Trucks through implementing series production and delivering vehicles.

“During the last couple of months, we have analysed our original business plan and worked hard to simplify our business model with a strong focus on speed to market, capital efficiency and profitability. The new Volta Trucks will provide an innovative “chassis-cab” product, supported by a tailored Maintenance and Service offering and partnerships with certified Body Builders. We believe this will best support our customers’ immediate needs and facilitate the electrification transition,” said Essa Al- Saleh.

Volta also looks forward to partnering with customers to have the distinctive Volta Zero on the road during this summer’s Paris Olympics. “With the City of Paris aiming to create the most green Olympics ever, this is a perfect opportunity for our logistics and consumer-brand customers to showcase the future of urban logistics,” concluded Essa Al-Saleh.

Darcica trials fully electric VOLTA HGV for Oxfordshire deliveries

Darcica Logistics, a member of the Palletways UK network, is trialling a 16-tonne Volta Zero for the company’s pallet network deliveries and collections in and around Oxfordshire.

The current Darcica fleet comprises 3.5 vans, 7.5 and 18-tonne HGVs and 44-tonne artics, but the Bicester-based company is keen to take on a bigger electric vehicle. Its first step into electrification was with four Maxus eDeliver9 electric vans to deliver in and around Oxford –the only net-zero city in the UK.

Anthony Tattersall, Darcica’s owner and director, said: “We do about 100 miles a day and go to two hubs, Birmingham and London, so the mileage we’re doing is well within the capabilities of an electric vehicle. We believe it will have a 200km range and hold about 10-12 pallets. It will be interesting to see how the Volta Zero performs during our trial period in terms of capacity and charging times, as well as the overall drive and manoeuvrability experience.”

Darcica offers parcel and pallet deliveries and collections, fulfilment and storage. It employs 27 full time staff at Bicester and 80+ self-employed at its Reading and Swindon sites (under the Amazon Delivery Service Partner programme).

The Volta Truck with Anthony and Melanie Tattersall and Warwick Trimble, network director, Palletways UK.