Volvo Trucks North America has passed what it says is the first pet safety evaluation conducted on a heavy-duty longhaul truck, the new Volvo VNL.
The evaluation took place Dec. 12 at the Volvo Customer Center in Dublin, Va., where experts from the Center for Pet Safety conducted an in-depth evaluation of the Volvo VNL, analyzing interior layouts, strength-tested anchor points, and available connection options for pet restraint systems, along with climate control functionality.
The evaluation also included real-life drives around the Volvo Customer Center track, with dogs secured in CPS-approved harnesses and carriers.
According to Volvo, the VNL met the evaluation criteria, and pets can safely join their humans on the road with the appropriate harnesses and carriers. The truck’s parking cooler system can maintain cab temperatures for up to eight hours without idling. Volvo also said that the sleeper’s strength-tested mesh bed could function as a pet rest area with minor modifications.
“Evaluating the Volvo VNL in person allows us to examine how vehicle design, securement points, and cab layout all work together to impact pet safety,” said Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO of the Center for Pet Safety, in a news release. “By working directly with Volvo’s engineers and product teams, we are able to evaluate real-world cab features, identify the safest places for pets to ride, and help drivers make choices that keep pets secure while reducing distractions, especially during busy holiday travel.”
“To my knowledge, our Volvo VNL is the first heavy-duty truck ever to pass a pet safety test,” added Maddie Sullivan, product manager, VTNA. “Safety is in our DNA at Volvo, and that commitment extends to everyone who shares the road, including the pets that so many drivers consider family.”
As part of the event, the Center for Pet Safety also shared tips for drivers traveling with pets during winter conditions, including reminders on proper restraint, trip planning and cold-weather preparation.
