The first Volvo FL all-electric truck has landed in Australia from Sweden’s Volvo Trucks, ready for trials and evaluation with Australian logistics and supply chain company, Linfox.
Touted as ‘medium-duty’, the 8-pallet truck is meant for city-based deliveries and is the first mass-produced, manufacturer-developed electric truck of its size in Australia.
The evaluation model that arrived in Australia last week is said to be powered by a 600 volt, 200kWh battery pack that powers the 200kWh and 425Nm motor.
Volvo has yet to confirm the estimated kilometre range for the electric truck. The range will be determined once the validation testing is complete.
Volvo has partnered with Linfox subsidiary and Australian alcoholic beverages logistics company BevChain to test out and trial the new technology in the Australian climate in April 2021.
“It is very clear that both our customers, and our customer’s customers, are demanding a cleaner and quieter urban transport environment,” says Vice President, Volvo Trucks Australia Tony O’Connell.
“Momentum is building globally to create safe and clean cities and the arrival of this truck in Australia marks the first step on that journey for Volvo Trucks Australia.”
“The introduction of electric vehicles opens an exciting chapter for both Linfox and Volvo,” said Peter Fox, Executive Chairman Linfox Pty Ltd.
“Our investment in sustainable vehicles will significantly help reduce our emissions in the foreseeable future.
“Adopting a greener fleet is an ongoing part of our commitment to act sustainably, as we strive for zero net environmental emissions and play our part to mitigate climate change.
“As our nations’ freight demand grows, it is vital we meet that need safely, efficiently and with reduced environmental impact.”
This is a tell-tale sign of progress for electric truck development in Australia, succeeding Toyota’s partnership with Australian-based electric truck manufacturer SEA Electric to build Hino light medium-duty trucks with electric and hydrogen fuel options.
SEA Electric already converts a range of commercial trucks to electric using its own SEA-Drive technology, with the retrofitted product achieving up to 350km.
The heavy-duty Volvo FL Electric truck launched in Europe in 2019, with the highest capacity 300kWh battery with a range of up to 300km.
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