Volvo Australia has given a definitive indication of when it will start making its electric trucks in Australia with a pivotal moment for its Australian manufacturing operations announcing it will start building its first-ever Australian-made heavy duty electric trucks at its Wacol plant in Brisbane next year.
The company announced via a PR consultancy release that this will coincide with the delivery of ten heavy duty Volvo electric trucks to major logistics company, Linfox, adding that it represents what it claims is Australia’s biggest single delivery of heavy duty electric trucks, which will apparently number 30 in total.
The press release claims that ten of the electric trucks in the order will carry the Australian Made label, saying that it will position the brand at the forefront of creating what it claims is a “new electric truck manufacturing sector in Australia”, and that it tailored them to this country’s heavy transport needs and conditions.
The press release claims that manufacturing Volvo electric trucks in Australia will expand Australia’s manufacturing capabilities, as well as claiming they will help accelerate the adoption, as well as lower emissions throughout the Australian road transport sector.
The announcement claims this particular order with Linfox will comprise 29 FM Electric and one FH Electric model. Linfox has already successfully trialled Volvo electric trucks, beginning with two vehicles in 2021 and expanding to four in 2023.
This delivery and announcement was celebrated at Linfox’s Willawong site in Brisbane, with Volvo Group president and CEO Martin Lundstedt, along with Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks, who travelled from Sweden with other Volvo executives, to join Martin Merrick, along with Linfox executive chairman Peter Fox for the official handover.
Martin Lundstedt, Volvo Group’s global president and CEO said the event signified not just the delivery of electric trucks, but the dawn of a new era for Australian manufacturing.
“This landmark order from Linfox, coupled with our commitment to build a third of these electric vehicles right here in Australia, demonstrates our confidence in the local industry’s potential to lead the way in sustainable heavy transport, perfectly suited to Australia’s demanding distances and conditions,” said Lundstedt.
Martin Merrick, said that manufacturing a significant portion of these electric trucks locally is a key pillar of our long-term vision for Australia.
“We are dedicated to establishing a thriving electric truck manufacturing industry that will create skilled jobs, drive innovation, and accelerate the uptake of zero-emission transport solutions across the Australian road transport sector,” Merrick said.
“To assist the industry accelerate the adoption of low emission electric trucks, we would like to see all state and federal governments provide more accessible incentives for all businesses, especially small to medium enterprises, so they can follow in Linfox’s footsteps,” the local Volvo boss said.
Linfox chair, Peter Fox added that the company is excited to partner with Volvo in driving the future and leading sustainable logistics in Australia.
“Further electrifying our fleet sets the standard for us and our customers and the entire industry,” Fox said.
“As a proud Australian company, it is our great pleasure to take ownership of the first Australian-made heavy duty electric vehicles,” Fox added.
Volvo said the decision to manufacture these heavy duty electric trucks in Australia builds upon its 50-year history of local production at the Wacol plant in Brisbane.
