Breakthrough: Volvo Trucks starts series production of heavy electric trucks

As the first global truck manufacturer, Volvo Trucks is now starting series production of 44-ton* heavy-duty electric trucks.

Volvo Trucks begins series production of electric versions of its main models: Volvo FH, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX. These trucks can handle a total weight of 44 tons* and the three models represent about two-thirds of sales. 

With these new additions, Volvo Trucks has six electric trucks in series production worldwide - the broadest electric line in the industry.

"This is a milestone and proves that we are leading the transformation of the industry. It has been less than two years since we first presented our heavy-duty electric trucks. Now we are stepping up the volumes and will deliver these great trucks to customers throughout Europe and later to customers in Asia, Australia and Latin America," said Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks. 

Series production of Volvo's heaviest electric trucks will begin at the Tuve plant in Gothenburg, Sweden, with the plant in Ghent, Belgium, to follow next year. Volvo produces the electric trucks on the same line as its conventional trucks, providing high production flexibility and efficiency gains. Batteries are supplied by Volvo Trucks' new battery assembly plant in Ghent.

Demand for electric trucks is growing rapidly in many markets. One of the driving forces is the need for carriers to switch to fossil-free transportation to meet their sustainability goals. Volvo Trucks' electric portfolio could currently cover about 45% of all goods transported in Europe.**

"We have sold about 1,000 units of our heavy-duty electric trucks and more than 2,600 of our electric trucks in total. We expect volumes to increase significantly in the coming years. By 2030, at least 50 percent of the trucks we sell worldwide should be electric," said Roger Alm.

The six Volvo electric trucks cover a wide range of applications such as urban distribution and waste handling, regional transport and construction work. 

*Gross Combination Weight (GCW)

**According to Eurostat statistics "Road Freight Transport by distance" (2018), 45% of all goods transported by road in Europe travel a distance of less than 300 km.