Volvo Trucks North America’s newest generation of trucks is now available to virtual drivers in American Truck Simulator.

The all-new Volvo VNL and Volvo VNR Electric have been added to the game, allowing players to experience Volvo’s latest diesel and battery-electric trucks from behind the wheel. Developed by SCS Software, American Truck Simulator has sold more than 7 million copies worldwide and allows players to haul freight, purchase trucks, and build trucking businesses across the United States.

“This is a very exciting way to introduce our trucks, both the diesel and the battery-electric versions, to millions of truck enthusiasts around the world,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “American Truck Simulator has built an incredibly passionate community that appreciates great trucks and authentic driving experiences. We’re proud that the most modern trucks on North American roads are now part of that experience.”

American Truck Simulator gives players a virtual look at the business side of trucking. Players start as independent owner-operators hauling cargo, earning money, buying trucks, and eventually expanding their operations into full transport companies.

Rather than focusing on racing, the game centers on safe driving, route management, freight hauling, and business growth, making it popular among gamers, trucking enthusiasts, and some professional drivers.

Volvo VNL Brings Long-Haul Design to the Game

The all-new Volvo VNL represents the largest redesign of Volvo’s flagship long-haul truck in more than 25 years. The truck includes updated aerodynamics, a digital driver environment, and advanced safety features.

In American Truck Simulator, the Volvo VNL was recreated with input from Volvo’s design and engineering teams. According to Volvo, the virtual version reflects the truck’s appearance, performance, sounds, and driver environment.

“As designers, we obsess over every detail of the driver experience, from the way the truck looks and feels to the sounds drivers hear every day on the road,” said Brian Balicki, head of design for Volvo Trucks North America. “Together with the SCS Software team, we translated that experience into the virtual world with an exceptional level of authenticity. Players are not simply driving a digital truck; they are experiencing the same design vision and attention to detail that shaped the real vehicle.”

Volvo VNR Electric Becomes First Electric Truck in Game

The Volvo VNR Electric is the first battery-electric truck available in American Truck Simulator. The truck is designed for regional haul and urban operations, giving players a look at how electric trucks are being used in commercial transportation.

Volvo introduced the VNR Electric in the United States and Canada in 2020. Today, more than 750 Volvo VNR Electric trucks are operating across the region, collectively logging more than 30 million miles and helping avoid an estimated 50,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions, according to Volvo.

The all-new Volvo VNL and Volvo VNR Electric are available now as part of a free update to American Truck Simulator.

Work Truck Saw the Simulator in Action

Work Truck recently had the chance to see American Truck Simulator in action during Western Star’s Star Nation Experience, where SCS Software brought a motion simulator version of the game for attendees to test.

Oscar Lee, chief partnership officer at SCS Software, said the event version is built on four hydraulic actuators, allowing the simulator to respond to acceleration, cornering, and braking. The setup is designed to give drivers and event attendees a more realistic feel for the virtual truck experience.

He noted that professional drivers can be skeptical at first, assuming the game will not feel anything like driving a real truck. But many are surprised once they get behind the wheel and see how closely the dashboard layout, truck interior, and driving feel are modeled after the real vehicle.

“We’re not going to say it’s the exact same, but it gives them a close approximation of it,” Lee said. “You can feel the weight transfer when you go around corners, and you can get a pretty accurate representation of how it feels to drive in a truck.”