Search:
Volvo Trucks becomes first manufacturer to start series production of heavy-duty electric trucks
Staff Report,
20 Sept 2022
Company to sell electric versions of its popular FH, FM and FMX heavy lines in the 44t weight range
Volvo Trucks has announced that it is beginning series production of the electric version of its 44 tonne trucks in the FH, FM and FMX lines, making it the first global truck maker to start making electric models in the important heavy-duty range.
With the move, Volvo Trucks now has six electric truck models in series production globally, giving it the broadest electric truck line-up in the industry. The FH, FM and FMX models together make up two-thirds of the company’s sales, the company added in a statement.
Roger Alm, president, Volvo Trucks said: “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.”
Volvo will begin series production of its heaviest electric trucks in its home base of Gothenburg, Sweden, at the Tuve factory. This will be followed by extending production to its factory in Ghent, Belgium, next year.
Volvo added that it produces its electric trucks on the same line as its conventional trucks, “which gives high production flexibility and efficiency gains”. The batteries for the electric trucks are supplied by Volvo Trucks’ new battery assembly plant in Ghent.
According to Volvo, the demand for electric trucks is rapidly increasing in many markets, spurred by the need to shift to fossil-free transport in order to meet sustainability goals. The company added that its electric portfolio “could cover around 45% of all goods transported in Europe today”.
“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 per cent of the trucks we sell globally should be electric,” said Alm.
According to Volvo Trucks, its six-model electric truck line-up covers a wide range of applications, such as city distribution and refuse handling, regional transport and construction work.
RELATED ARTICLES
Volvo heavy-duty electric truck exceeds official range in independent test
Volvo Trucks increases range by 85% on VNR Electric truck models
