Volvo gets record order for electric trucks

Volvo Trucks has received an order for 100 Volvo FM Electric trucks from DFDS, Northern Europe’s largest shipping and logistics company.

The deal is considered the largest commercial order to date for Volvo electric trucks, and one of the largest ever for heavy electric trucks worldwide, according a new report by Just Auto.

Commenting on the deal, President of Volvo Trucks, says Roger Alm, “This is a major milestone in our commitment to fossil-free transportation and I am very proud of the partnership we have with DFDS. Together we are showing the world that electrified heavy truck transport is a viable solution already today. I believe this will encourage many more customers to confidently take the first step in their own electrification journey.

“Our clear aim is to drive the electric truck transformation and our market-leading position shows that we are definitely on the right track. Our target for 2030 is that half of our global truck deliveries will be electric. We are pleased to see that growing interest among our customers is starting to be reflected in firm orders, not least by this impressive order from DFDS.”

The report also says the first deliveries of the Volvo FM Electric to DFDS will start in the fourth quarter of 2022 and continue throughout 2023, adding that the trucks will be used for both short and long transport in the DFDS logistics system in Europe.

Niklas Andersson, Executive Vice President and Head of Logistics Division at the DFDS, says, “At DFDS, we’re determined to play our part in reducing CO2 emissions and creating a sustainable supply chain. We know how important electrification is in the journey to reach our CO2 targets, and I hope we can inspire others as we move forward in this vital transition.”

The FM Electric can carry a weight of 44 tons (gross combination weight) and has a range of up to 300 km. With a top-up charging session during lunch the distance can be extended. The vehicles can be charged both via overnight depot charging (each truck comes with an AC charger) and via high power charging on route (DC charging). DFDS has chosen a financing solution provided by Volvo Financial Services.

The electrification trend in the heavy truck market is accelerating. In Europe, a few hundred trucks above 16 tons have been registered so far this year. Of these, approximately 40 per cent are Volvo electric trucks.