Volvo Group Australia will manufacture the first-ever Australian-made heavy-duty electric trucks at its Wacol facility in Brisbane from next year, in what the company describes as a milestone for local manufacturing and the transport sector.
The announcement comes ahead of Australian Made Week and coincides with the delivery of ten electric trucks to logistics firm Linfox –– part of what Volvo says is the country’s biggest order of heavy-duty electric trucks.
Ten of the 30 trucks in the order will carry the Australian Made label and be tailored to meet the country’s specific transport conditions.
“Today signifies not just the delivery of electric trucks, but the dawn of a new era for Australian manufacturing,” Volvo Group president and chief executive Martin Lundstedt says.
“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.”
The order includes 29 FM Electric trucks and one FH Electric model. Linfox began trialling Volvo electric trucks in 2021 with two vehicles and expanded to four in 2023.
The milestone was marked at Linfox’s Willawong site in Brisbane, where Volvo Group executives from Sweden – including Volvo Trucks president Roger Alm – joined Volvo Group Australia president Martin Merrick and Linfox executive chairman Peter Fox for the official handover.
“Manufacturing a significant portion of these electric trucks locally is a key pillar of our long-term vision for Australia,” Merrick says.
“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.”
Fox says Linfox was proud to lead the way in electrifying its fleet.
“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’s decision to manufacture the trucks in Brisbane builds on a 50-year history of local production at its Wacol plant.
