Volvo Group Australia has reaffirmed its commitment to manufacturing electric trucks at its Wacol facility in Brisbane, with production scheduled to begin in late 2027.
The milestone project will see Volvo’s first Australian-built electric prime mover roll off the line at the same site where the company has been building internal combustion engine trucks for over five decades. According to Tim Camilleri, Director E-Mobility Solutions at Volvo Group Australia, the timeline remains “on track” as the company aligns local capabilities with its global electrification roadmap.
“It’ll be a very momentous occasion to see the first electric Volvo prime mover built here in Australia, in Wacol… alongside the internal combustion engine products that have been there for 53 years,” Camilleri told Fleet News Group.
The move is a strategic step to bring Australian-made, application-specific electric trucks to market—supporting local jobs, reducing emissions, and strengthening domestic supply chains. It also reflects the growing momentum for zero-emission transport solutions in the heavy vehicle sector.
Volvo has already been rolling out electric trucks across various freight tasks since launching its heavy-duty range in 2023. Bringing production onshore will give the company even more flexibility to adapt vehicle design and performance to Australian conditions and fleet requirements.
Camilleri said the company is continuing to assess the timeline to see whether production could begin sooner or later than the current 2027 target. However, the long-term goal is clear: “an important part of our journey” is making electric trucks in Australia, not just for environmental leadership, but to ensure the technology is accessible and fit-for-purpose for local fleets.
The Wacol expansion is part of Volvo’s broader plan to decarbonise heavy transport while maintaining operational reliability for its customers.
