Volvo’s first Australian-made electric trucks roll out

Volvo Group Australia has announced the first Australian-made electric trucks have rolled off its production line in Wacol, Queensland. These are the first electric trucks manufactured in Australia by an OEM, and the company says it is a milestone for the nation’s manufacturing capability, workforce and the future of zero-tailpipe emissions transport.

The achievement was marked at an event attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Roger Alm, Executive Vice President of Volvo Group and President of Volvo Trucks, Volvo Group Australia President & CEO Martin Merrick, Linfox CEO Mark Mazurek, Australian Made Campaign Chief Executive Ben Lazzaro, and Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio. The trucks were built at the same Wacol facility where Volvo has manufactured trucks for Australian conditions for more than 50 years.

To prepare the local team, Volvo brought in international experts to train and upskill Australian workers, who are now able to build electric trucks and lay the foundation for future production as demand grows.

Transport accounts for around 22% of Australia’s carbon emissions, with heavy freight a critical part of that challenge.

“Australia is an important market for Volvo Trucks, and building electric trucks here is a clear sign of our long-term commitment. It reflects Volvo Group’s confidence in Australian manufacturing and in the people behind it,” said Roger Alm, Executive Vice President of Volvo Group and President of Volvo Trucks. “We are convinced that electric trucks will play a key role in the future of transport. Producing them in Australia will help drive the sustainability transformation, while bringing us even closer to our customers and their needs.”

“This is a proud day for Volvo Trucks and for Australian manufacturing,” said Martin Merrick, President & CEO, Volvo Group Australia. “For more than 50 years we have built Volvo trucks for Australian conditions here in Wacol, and today we have built the first electric truck ever manufactured by an OEM in this country. It proves what our people and our facilities are capable of.”

“As an Australian owned company, Linfox is proud to support the local economy deploying the first Australian made electric trucks into our fleet,” said Mark Mazurek, CEO, Linfox Australia and New Zealand. “We have been an early adopter of electric vehicles, beginning our sustainability journey more than a decade ago.

“Today’s milestone is a prime example of what the industry can achieve in partnership with local manufacturers and government. These Australian made electric prime movers will ensure we continue to service our customers with a reliable fleet that is safe, secure, efficient and sustainable.”

Image: Prime Minister Albanese with Roger Alm, Executive Vice President of Volvo Group and President of Volvo Trucks.