On Wednesday, Volvo Trucks revealed that the large 44-ton electric trucks were starting to roll off the assembly line. Three of Volvo’s biggest electric truck models have been added, giving it the largest heavy-duty EV lineup in the market with six variants, according to Electrek.
The FH Electric, FM Electric, and FMX Electric electric trucks are produced by Volvo Trucks on the same line as its combustion trucks and have a combined operating weight of 44 tonnes. Notably, the battery manufacturing facility in Ghent provides the batteries.
With its electric trucks, Volvo is advancing the transportation industry toward a greener, more sustainable future. It must be noted that heavy-duty vehicles account for around 25% of all transportation emissions, according to the latest EU data. Furthermore, if nothing is done, it is predicted that the number will keep increasing.
In 2019, the Volvo FL Electric and Volvo FE Electric were unveiled; in 2020, the Volvo VNR Electric was released in North America. Volvo Trucks increased its efforts in 2017 as its medium- and heavy-duty vehicles began launching in Europe and North America.
To speed up its electrification initiatives, Volvo Trucks recently revealed plans for a sizable battery facility in Sweden.
Up until now, it has been difficult to electrify the heaviest commercial trucks. However, Volvo Trucks is ready to change that with its new array of heavy-duty electric vehicles.
Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks, explains:
| “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. “The demand for electric trucks is rapidly increasing in many markets, with one driving force being the need for transport buyers to shift to fossil-free transports in order to meet their sustainability goals. Volvo Trucks’ electric portfolio could cover around 45% of all goods transported in Europe today.” |
According to Volvo Trucks, production will commence in 2023 at the plant in Belgium after starting in Tuve, Sweden, in 2022.
As legislators enforce strict laws to encourage green mobility, most of the world’s leading transportation firms have set ambitious emissions targets.
It is worth noting that over 2,600 heavy-duty electric vehicles have been sold by Volvo Trucks. Additionally, it claimed demand will keep rising as companies work to meet their climate targets.
The same assembly plant that produces the trucks’ conventional variants will also produce the electrified ones. Remarkably, Volvo Trucks targets to provide 50% electric vehicles by 2030.
