Volvo builds first Australian-made OEM electric trucks

Volvo Group Australia has produced the first Australian-made electric trucks by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), marking a milestone for the country’s heavy vehicle manufacturing sector.

The first locally built battery-electric trucks rolled off the production line at Volvo’s Wacol manufacturing facility in Queensland, where the company has been building trucks for Australian conditions for more than 50 years.

The milestone was marked at an event attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Volvo Group executive vice-president and Volvo Trucks president Roger Alm, Volvo Group Australia president and chief executive Martin Merrick, Linfox chief executive Mark Mazurek, Australian Made Campaign chief executive Ben Lazzaro and Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Julie Delvecchio.

Volvo says the trucks demonstrate Australia’s ability to manufacture battery-electric heavy vehicles to global standards, with local workers trained by international experts ahead of production.

Transport accounts for around 22% of Australia’s carbon emissions, with heavy freight identified as a key sector in the country’s transition to net zero.

Roger Alm says the move reinforces Volvo’s long-term commitment to the Australian market.

“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.

“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.”

Albanese says the project aligns with the Government’s manufacturing strategy.

“My Government is backing a future made in Australia – investing in local jobs, manufacturing and industry.

“We have all the resources to be a clean energy superpower – under the ground and in the sky – and projects like this show just what’s possible.

“Electric-made trucks built right here in Brisbane will keep Australia moving now and into the future.”

Martin Merrick says the achievement is significant for both Volvo and Australia’s manufacturing capability.

“This is a proud day for Volvo Trucks and for Australian manufacturing. 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. These trucks were built right here by an Australian team we have trained to a global standard. This is proof of concept, and a foundation we are ready to build on.”

Linfox will be the first customer to deploy the Australian-built electric prime movers.

“As an Australian owned company, Linfox is proud to support the local economy deploying the first Australian made electric trucks into our fleet,” Mazurek says.

“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.”

Volvo says the transition to battery-electric heavy vehicles will require continued collaboration between industry and government, including supportive policy settings, harmonised heavy vehicle weight regulations across Australian states, fleet procurement commitments, and investment in charging infrastructure and electricity networks.