Volvo Trucks North America announced Monday Nacarato Truck Centers’ Roanoke, Va., dealership has been named a Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) Dealer after completing the OEM's required training and certification program. The facility is the first Volvo Certified EV dealer in Virginia and southeastern U.S.
Volvo says Nacarato Truck Centers has been instrumental in introducing Volvo Trucks’ VNR Electric model in the state, as it is supporting three trucking carriers that are using the zero-tailpipe emission model to transport inbound parts and components to the Volvo Trucks New River Valley Assembly Operations (NRV) in Dublin, Va.
"Nacarato Truck Centers is a key partner as we strive to improve the sustainability of our own supply chain," says Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. "We look forward to collaborating with them to maximize uptime for the VNR Electric trucks that are a part of our logistics routes at NRV, as well as for our other fleet customers that operate throughout the region."
Founded in 1976 in Nashville, Nacarato Truck Centers operates a network of Volvo Trucks dealerships and service centers throughout Tennessee, Virginia, Southern Kentucky, Maryland, and Georgia. Its Roanoke facility is the company's first to earn the Certified EV designation, though the dealer also is in the process of certifying its Hagerstown, Md., and Nashville locations with the intent to complete the certification at all eight of its dealerships.
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“Completing the Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealer program at each of our dealerships is a key goal, as we increasingly receive inquiries about the Volvo VNR Electric from fleets throughout our customer base,” says Pat Daily, COO, Nacarato Truck Centers. “Our certified locations will be fully prepared to help guide our customers on the Volvo VNR Electric model that best suits their operating needs. In addition, we intend to make a Volvo VNR Electric truck available in our leasing and rental fleet so that multiple customers can get firsthand experience operating the truck on their daily routes.”
Volvo states completing its Certified EV Dealer program ensures dealerships have the robust sales and service ecosystem required to support customers with their zero-emission transportation goals. Sales teams are trained to provide professional pre-sales consultancy to secure a commercially and technically viable electromobility solution for fleet customers.
On the aftermarket side, Volvo adds the certification ensures technicians have the proper technical training and understanding of all safety procedures when servicing electric drivetrains and components. The certification also includes investments in diagnostics tools and personal protective equipment for technicians working with the high-voltage systems.
Nacarato Truck Centers currently has six technicians fully certified to perform maintenance and repairs on the Volvo VNR Electric model, with two technicians each at its Roanoke, Hagerstown, and Nashville dealerships. All three locations have also installed charging infrastructure to support the battery-electric trucks, the company adds.
Nacarato is the second Volvo Trucks dealer group to earn a Certified EV dealer designation in 2022. Affinity Truck Center earned the designation from Volvo and Mack Trucks for its Fresno, Calif., location two weeks ago.
And as part of the Volvo Gold Contract, Volvo Trucks’ premier service offering for the VNR Electric, each of the Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealers 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. To ensure peak vehicle uptime, performance and productivity, the Volvo Gold Contract includes scheduled and preventative maintenance, towing, and vehicle repair, including the vehicle’s lithium-ion batteries and the complete electromobility system, Volvo says.
