Volvo Trucks has officially passed a major milestone with over 5,000 electric trucks delivered to customers across 50 countries—a clear signal that the global transition to zero-emission freight transport is accelerating.
Since introducing its first electric trucks in 2019, Volvo’s battery-electric range has now collectively clocked nearly 170 million kilometres in commercial operations. The benefits are tangible: a substantial reduction in CO₂ emissions and noise pollution, as well as improved driver comfort and working environments.
Australia is part of this global shift. More than 80 Volvo electric trucks are already in operation across the country, and the local fleet has driven over one million kilometres to date. The first electric unit delivered in Australia was a Volvo FL to Linfox in 2021—still operating and proving the technology’s durability in daily logistics work.
Volvo Trucks President Roger Alm emphasised the strong momentum in electric adoption:
“It’s rewarding to see transport companies continue to embrace the benefits with electric trucks in a variety of applications. Volvo’s battery-electric trucks are available here and now, providing our customers and transport buyers with a more sustainable alternative that makes business sense.”
Volvo Trucks currently leads the heavy-duty battery electric vehicle (BEV) segment in Australia, with a broad portfolio designed for urban deliveries, regional freight, waste management, and construction use. Globally, its top five markets are Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Norway and Sweden.
Broad Portfolio for a Range of Applications
Volvo’s electric truck lineup includes the following models:
- Volvo FL Electric and Volvo FE Electric – targeted at city deliveries and local logistics.
- Volvo FM Electric, FMX Electric, FM Low Entry, and FH Electric – for regional freight and demanding vocational applications.
- Volvo FH Aero Electric – a more aerodynamic version suited to long-haul missions.
- Volvo VNR Electric – primarily serving the North American market.
Among them, the Volvo FH Electric was named International Truck of the Year 2024, demonstrating not only environmental credentials but also performance and operator appeal.
Local Assembly and Expertise
Volvo Group Australia assembles trucks at its Wacol facility in Brisbane, with both Volvo and Mack brands proudly carrying the Australian Made certification. As demand grows, this local presence gives fleet operators confidence in aftersales support and service accessibility. The group employs over 1,400 people nationwide and maintains Australia and New Zealand’s largest dealer and service network.
Three-Path Strategy to Zero Emissions
Volvo Trucks is pursuing a multi-path strategy to decarbonise transport and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. The three pillars are:
- Battery Electric Trucks – already deployed globally and suited for most city and regional transport tasks.
- Fuel Cell Electric Trucks – using green hydrogen to produce electricity on board, ideal for longer distances and high payloads.
- Combustion Engines Running on Renewable Fuels – such as biogas, biodiesel, and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), providing options where electrification isn’t yet viable.
This diversified approach gives fleets the flexibility to decarbonise based on application, infrastructure availability and vehicle utilisation patterns.
What This Means for Fleet and Sustainability Managers
For fleet managers, this milestone demonstrates that electric trucks are no longer a pilot technology—they are commercially viable, with growing real-world usage in Australia and globally. Sustainability managers should note that electric trucks not only help reduce emissions but also contribute to corporate social responsibility goals by lowering noise pollution and improving driver wellbeing.
Finance managers, too, can take heart in the long-term business case. While upfront costs remain higher than diesel equivalents, total cost of ownership can be reduced through lower fuel and maintenance expenses—especially in urban environments with stop-start duty cycles.
With 5,000 units already delivered and a full product range available, the electric truck market is gathering pace. And with Volvo at the forefront, Australian fleets have proven options on the ground and in service today.
