Volvo Trucks has received an order for 100 Volvo FM Electric trucks from shipping and logistics giant DFDS.
The deal is said to be the largest commercial order to date for Volvo electric trucks, and one of the largest ever for heavy electric trucks worldwide.
First deliveries to DFDS will start in the fourth quarter of 2022 and continue throughout 2023. The trucks will be used for both short and long transport in the DFDS logistics system in Europe although Volvo declined to comment on how many would be coming to the UK.
The FM Electric can carry 44 tonnes (gross combination weight) and has a range of up to 300km. With a top-up charging session 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 also chosen a financing solution provided by Volvo Financial Services.
The first Volvo FM Electric was handed over to DFDS by Volvo Trucks president Roger Alm (pictured right with DFDS executive vice president and head of logistics division Niklas Andersson) in August.
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“This is a major milestone in our commitment to fossil-free transportation and I am very proud of the partnership we have with DFDS," Alm said. "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."
Added Andersson: "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."
Volvo described the news as a breakthrough for electric trucks in Europe, adding that the electrification trend in the heavy truck market is accelerating. In Europe, a few hundred trucks above 16 tonnes have been registered so far this year. Of these, approximately 40% are from Volvo.
“Our clear aim is to drive the electric truck transformation and our market-leading position shows that we are definitely on the right track," Alm revealed. "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.”
Volvo Trucks started serial production of electric trucks in 2019, as one of the very first truck brands to do so. The product range now includes six electric truck models – the Volvo FH, Volvo FM, Volvo FMX, Volvo FE, Volvo FL and the Volvo VNR, sold in North America.
