Fuel is any fleet operator’s largest expense, but this is about to change, as Volvo has announced its plans to manufacture a series of electric truck tractors.
It will be the first truck manufacturer to do this. The series will offer the Volvo FH, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX. These trucks can operate at a total weight of 44t and the three models represent around two thirds of the company’s sales.
With these new additions, Volvo Trucks has six electric truck models in series production globally, the broadest electric truck line-up in the industry.
“This is a milestone and proves that we are leading the transformation of the industry. It’s less than two years ago since we showcased our heavy electric trucks for the very first time. Now we are ramping up volumes and will deliver these great trucks to customers all over Europe, and later on also to customers in Asia, Australia and Latin America,” said Roger Alm, the president of Volvo Trucks.
In South Africa, local customer KDG Logistics recently signed a letter of intent to purchase two Volvo FM 4×2 Electric Truck Tractors. These units are expected to arrive during the second quarter of 2023 and will be used by KDG Logistics, an auto carrier, in a port-to-factory operation in Durban.
“This marks the first steps locally in embracing electric vehicles as part of sustainable transport solutions here in South Africa,” said Waldemar Christensen, MD of Volvo Trucks South Africa. “Volvo Trucks and our customers are taking on the challenge to embrace zero tailpipe emission transport, despite a lack of the necessary infrastructure and legislation to drive more progress in this area locally.”
Series production of Volvo’s heaviest electric trucks will start in the Tuve factory in Gothenburg, Sweden, and next year the factory in Ghent, Belgium, will follow. Volvo produces electric trucks on the same line as its conventional trucks, which gives high production flexibility and efficiency gains. The batteries are supplied by Volvo Trucks’ new battery assembly plant in Ghent.
“We have sold around 1 000 units of our heavy electric trucks and more than 2 600 of our electric trucks in total. We expect volumes to increase significantly in the next few years. By 2030, at least 50% of the trucks we sell globally should be electric,” said Alm.
Volvo Trucks’ electric line-up of six truck models covers a wide range of applications, such as city distribution and refuse handling, regional transport and construction work.
Source: Stargazer PR
