Following the country’s largest-ever order of heavy duty electric vehicles, Volvo Group Australia has revealed it will begin building the first-ever Australian-made heavy duty electric trucks at its Wacol facility in Brisbane next year.
This announcement coincides with the handover of ten electric trucks to Linfox, representing the largest single delivery in Australia’s biggest-ever order for 30 heavy duty electric vehicles.
Ten of the electric trucks in the order will carry the Australian Made label.
Volvo Group Australia says manufacturing Volvo electric trucks in Australia will expand the country’s manufacturing capabilities, help accelerate their adoption, and lower emissions throughout the Australian road transport sector.
The Linfox order 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 milestone delivery and announcement was celebrated at Linfox’s Willawong site in Brisbane, with Volvo Group President and CEO Martin Lundstedt, and Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks who have travelled from Sweden with Volvo executives, joining Martin Merrick, President of Volvo Group Australia, and Linfox Executive Chairman Peter Fox AM for the official handover.
Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO of Volvo Group, said, “Today signifies 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.”
Martin Merrick, President of Volvo Group Australia, added, “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. 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.”
While Peter Fox AM, Executive Chairman of Linfox, said, “Linfox 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.
“As a proud Australian company, it is our great pleasure to take ownership of the first Australian-made heavy duty electric vehicles.”
Volvo Group’s decision to manufacture these advanced heavy duty electric trucks in Australia builds on its 50-year history of local production at the Wacol plant in Brisbane.