In August 2021, TEC Equipment’s Fontana, California, location became the first in North America to complete the robust training and equipment installation requirements needed to achieve Volvo Trucks EV Certified Dealer status. TEC Equipment’s two Southern California dealerships are well located to service fleet operators involved in local and regional goods movement, particularly around the ports—an ideal application for the Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 model.
“Volvo Trucks applauds the ongoing leadership of the TEC Equipment team, which began meeting requirements for certification of its dealerships in late 2019 through the Volvo LIGHTS project, before Volvo’s certification program was even fully developed,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “Effective partnerships are the key to achieving widescale transportation electrification, and TEC Equipment continues to demonstrate the value of their innovative mindset and dedication to building the necessary sales and service ecosystem.”
The TEC Equipment La Mirada sales team is trained to consult with customers on how electric trucks fit in their operation and to select the right Volvo VNR Electric configuration based on their fleet’s unique transport needs. This includes evaluation of their routes to determine which are the most ideal for electromobility, what to consider when investing in charging infrastructure, and available grants and incentives to offset project costs.
Several members of the maintenance and repair crew at TEC Equipment’s Fontana and La Mirada dealerships are now fully trained and equipped to meet the service needs of fleets operating Volvo VNR Electrics. TEC Equipment La Mirada has installed equipment for two dedicated EV service bays, and two of its technicians have completed the required training to service electric drivetrains and components. Two additional technicians in La Mirada are in the process of completing the training. Both dealership locations will also maintain a stock of key parts and components for the VNR Electric model to minimize service times and quickly get customers back on the road.
“TEC Equipment didn't want to wait for EVs to gradually catch on before making a move; we wanted to be at the forefront with our customers and help lead the transition,” said David Thompson, founder and CEO of TEC Equipment. “Our La Mirada and Fontana dealerships are ideally located to support Southern California’s large freight transport industry in deploying zero-tailpipe emission trucks. We look forward to continuing to expand our expertise to our other dealerships on the West Coast through Volvo Trucks EV Certified Dealership training programs.”
TEC Equipment was an integral partner in the groundbreaking Volvo LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions) project that deployed the first Volvo VNR Electric models in North America. Volvo Trucks designed its rigorous Volvo Trucks EV Certified Dealer program to support this growing network of battery-electric Class 8 trucks and now also offers its Volvo Gold Contract, specifically designed to provide peace of mind to new Volvo VNR Electric owners. Incorporating maintenance, towing, uptime services, and full coverage of major components, the Volvo Gold Contract comes standard with the Volvo VNR Electric and is the first service contract of its kind from Volvo Trucks North America.
