Volvo to launch e-truck with 600km range
The Swedish OEM hails a major breakthrough in HDV electrification
Gothenburg-headquartered Volvo Group will introduce a new long-range version of its FH Electric heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) that will be able to reach up to 600km on one charge in the second half of 2025. The firm says its new launch will allow users “to drive a full working day without having to recharge”.
“Our new electric flagship will be a great complement to our wide range of electric trucks and enable zero-exhaust emission transport also for the longer distances. It will be a great solution for transport companies with a high annual mileage on their trucks and with a strong commitment to reduce CO2,” says Volvo Trucks president Roger Alm.
The enabler for the 600 km range is Volvo’s new driveline technology, the so-called e-axle, which creates space for significantly more battery capacity onboard. More efficient batteries, a further improved battery management system and overall efficiency of the powertrain also contribute to the extended range.
Completing the line-up
Volvo already boasts eight battery-electric models in its portfolio. In January, it announced plans for the launch of an FH Aero Electric, without making any claims about range at that point.
Its existing product range is better suited “to electrify city and regional distribution, construction and waste management”, not the long distance transport segment that the new offering will also unlock.
Volvo has so far sold more than 3,800 electric trucks to customers in 46 countries. It delivered 1,977 electric trucks during 2023 alone, an increase of 256pc on the previous year. In March, it announced a deal to supply an additional 100 class 8 electric trucks to Danish shipping and logistics company DFDS, an existing e-truck customer.
“The transport sector represents 7pc of global carbon emissions. Battery-electric trucks are important tools to reduce the climate footprint. Besides the important environmental gains that electric trucks bring, they offer truck drivers a much better working environment, with much lower levels of noise and vibrations,” Alm continues.
But Volvo is not making an all-in bet on e-trucks as it aims to meet a net-zero emissions target by 2040. It continues to pursue its three-path technology strategy, including BEVs alongside FCEVs and ICEs that will run on renewable fuels like green hydrogen, biogas or hydrogenated vegetable oil.