Volvo Trucks North America’s new long-haul truck, the Volvo VNL, has passed a first-of-its-kind pet safety test conducted in collaboration with the Center for Pet Safety (CPS). The evaluation focused on safety considerations for the approximately 800,000 pets in the U.S. that travel with their owners in commercial trucks each day.
During the evaluation, experts from CPS conducted an in-depth, hands-on assessment of the Volvo VNL, examining interior layouts, strength-tested anchor points, available connection options for pet restraint systems, and climate control functionality. As part of the process, dogs secured in CPS-approved harnesses and carriers rode along the Volvo Customer Center track, allowing evaluators to observe real-world conditions and how the cab supports safe and comfortable travel for pets.
“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 chief executive officer of the Center for Pet Safety. “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.”
Following the evaluation, the Volvo VNL passed the pet safety test, citing that with the appropriate harnesses and carriers, pets can safely travel alongside their owners in the truck. According to Volvo Trucks and CPS, the VNL includes strength-tested anchor points compatible with CPS-Certified harnesses and carriers. The truck is also equipped with the Volvo Parking Cooler, a climate control system designed to keep pets comfortable and safe for up to eight hours without idling, even in extreme temperatures. In addition, the VNL’s strength-tested mesh bed demonstrated potential as a pet-safe rest area, with only minor modifications needed for secure travel.
“The Volvo VNL was designed to support life on the road, and working directly with the Center for Pet Safety helps us better understand how our design choices can support safer, more comfortable travel for drivers and their furry co-pilots,” said Maddie Sullivan, product manager, Volvo Trucks North America.
During the event, the Center for Pet Safety also shared holiday pet travel tips, offering reminders for winter road trips such as properly securing pets, packing essential supplies, and planning for rest stops and colder weather. These tips are part of CPS’s ongoing mission to help families travel safely with pets year-round.
The pet safety evaluation represents the next phase of Volvo Trucks’ partnership with the Center for Pet Safety, which was announced earlier this fall at the American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition. Additional analysis and educational development are planned to continue into 2026, culminating in a co-branded digital resource focused on safe travel with pets for professional drivers.
