Starting next year, Volvo Trucks will offer European customers all-electric versions of its entire lineup of heavy-duty models.
The company says this marks a major step forwards on the road to fossil-free transport, with the company now running tests of the electric heavy-duty Volvo FH, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX trucks. These models will be used for regional transport and urban construction operations in Europe.
With a gross combination weight of up to 44 tonnes (97,003 lbs), these trucks offer driving ranges of up to 300 km (186 miles). Sales of Volvo’s all-electric trucks will begin in 2021, with volume production scheduled to start in 2022.
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Volvo Trucks all-electric lineup includes the FE, FM, FH, FMX and FL
This means that from 2021 onwards Volvo Trucks will sell a complete range of battery-electric trucks in Europe for distribution, refuse, regional transport and urban construction operations.
“By rapidly increasing the number of heavy-duty electric trucks, we want to help our customers and transport buyers to achieve their ambitious sustainability goals. We’re determined to continue driving our industry towards a sustainable future,” says Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks.
As a reminder, Volvo Trucks started manufacturing the FL Electric and FE Electric in 2019. These two trucks are intended for city distribution and refuse operations, primarily in Europe. In North America, Volvo will begin sales of the VNR Electric regional transport truck on December 3, 2020.
Volvo FL Electric
“Our chassis are designed to be independent of the driveline used. Our customers can choose to buy several Volvo trucks of the same model, with the only difference being that some are electric and others are powered by gas or diesel,” says Roger Alm. “Drivers should feel familiar with their vehicles and be able to operate them safely and efficiently regardless of the fuel used.”
According to Volvo, electric vehicles for demanding and heavy long-haul operations will follow in this decade. The company projects these will be battery-electric and fuel cell electric trucks with a longer range.
Volvo Trucks aims to start selling electric trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells in the second half of this decade. The truck maker’s objective is for its entire product range to be fossil-free by 2040.
Volvo FM Electric