As one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases, trucking represents ground zero for fighting global warming.

That’s why Peter Voorhoeve, Volvo Trucks North America president, is out front pushing the freight and logistics industry’s transition to zero-emission trucking.

Voorhoeve, 57, has spearheaded the Swedish company’s U.S. strategy to jump out first in commercializing heavy-duty electric trucks.

Volvo jumped in early, getting Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 tractor prototypes into the operations of drayage companies and distributors working Southern California’s giant port complex. Voorhoeve then pushed his team to launch commercial production of improved versions of the truck at Volvo’s factory in Dublin, Va.

According to registration data, the company has more electric Class 8 trucks running than any other manufacturer in the U.S. And the early customers are coming back for more. The order book is growing fast, Voorhoeve said.

“Our decision to go to the market earlier with a little bit more limited range was right,” Voorhoeve told Automotive News.

“When we did that, everyone asked what can you do with a truck with 150 miles of range? Well, it is a lot,” he said. “About 30 to 40 percent of all the Class 8 trucks in North America drive less than 200 miles a day.”

Working with clients, Volvo discovered that a 275-mile range allowing trucks to make two round trips a day from the ports to inland warehouses was the sweet spot for many customers.

Voorhoeve’s team worked with the VNR Electric’s battery configuration and now offers multiple range choices so clients can select what works best for their operations. The 275-mile trucks are selling well because they allow at least 200 miles of driving without creating range anxiety.

Volvo sees this transition as critical to fighting global warming and improving the quality of life in areas where there are heavy trucking operations.

Voorhoeve said Volvo’s early start would help reduce air pollution and improve the quality of life in highly urbanized areas near large urbanized ports, including the neighborhoods surrounding Long Beach and Los Angeles ports and in the New York metropolitan area. Many of these communities, he said, have suffered far more than other regions with air and noise pollution from diesel trucks.

“Sustainability is important. You want to get cleaner air, a better quality of life, lower greenhouse gas emissions and work on the climate,” he said.