Volvo to launch this year electric truck with 600-km range
Up to 600 km on one single charge. That’s how far Volvo’s next-generation heavy-duty electric truck will be able to drive. The longer range represents a break-through for long-distance transport with zero tailpipe emissions.
Text starts here
The electrification of heavy trucks is continuing across the world and longer distances are now becoming a possibility.
This year, Volvo is expected to launch a new long-range version of its FH Electric that will be able to reach up to 600 km on one charge.
The global truck manufacturer made the breakthrough announcement in September 2024 saying this will allow transport companies to operate electric trucks on interregional and long-distance routes and to drive a full working day without having to recharge. The new Volvo FH Electric will be released for sale during the second half of 2025, it added.
“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,” said Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks.
Five years of electric leadership
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.
Volvo Trucks is a global leader in medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks with eight battery-electric models in their portfolio. The wide product range makes it possible to electrify city and regional distribution, construction, waste management and, soon, long distance transport. Volvo has so far delivered more than 3,800 electric trucks to customers in 46 countries around the world.
“The transport sector represents seven percent 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 noted.
Volvo Trucks drives the transition towards fossil-free transport to reach its net-zero emissions target by 2040 using a three-path technology strategy. The three-path technology approach is built on battery electric, fuel cell electric and combustion engines that run on renewable fuels like green hydrogen, biogas or HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil).
BOX OUT
Volvo Trucks ramps up the use of low-CO2-emission steel
Along with this breakthrough announcement, Volvo said it is increasing the use of low-CO2-emission steel in its trucks. This steel is produced with recycled material and fossil-free energy and will be used in tens of thousands of Volvo trucks starting next year.
Volvo is now ramping up the use of low-CO2-emission steel in its trucks. Volvo was the world’s first truck manufacturer to introduce this type of steel in its electric trucks in 2022. Now the company is expanding the use of low-CO2-emission steel to include all drivelines.
The new steel is produced by the Swedish steel company SSAB and called SSAB Zero. It is made from recycled material and produced using fossil-free electricity and biogas. As a result, CO2 is reduced by around 80% compared to the production of conventional steel using fossil energy.
This year, the frame rails in around 12,000 Volvo FH and FM trucks will be made of low-CO2-emission steel. This will result in savings of 6,600 tons of CO2 Equivalents. As the availability of low-CO2-emission steel increases, it will be introduced in more truck models as well as in other parts of the truck.
Volvo is also planning to replace other materials in its trucks with lower emissions alternatives.
“This is an additional step towards our zero emissions vision. Steel is one of the main materials in our trucks. We are also looking to exchange other materials, such as aluminium and plastic, to low emission alternatives. We are proud to lead the way in the industry when it comes to sustainable material in our trucks,” said Jan Hjelmgren, Senior Vice President Product Management and Quality, Volvo Trucks.
Half of the truck consists of steel
The potential for lowering CO2 emissions is high as almost half of the truck consists of steel (47% of a Volvo FH diesel truck), and it represents about 44% of the CO2 emissions from the production (cradle to gate) out of the total 21 tons CO2 Equivalents for the Volvo FH diesel.
Volvo Group is collaborating with several suppliers around low-CO2-emission steel. Low-CO2-emission steel will be an important complement to the traditional and recycled steel used in Volvo’s trucks.
Volvo Trucks is committed to the Paris agreement and to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chain by 2040, at the latest.
“We are continuously striving to further minimize our climate footprint. We are also moving towards greater circularity in both our operations and our trucks. Many of our factories, transports and dealers are today running on renewable energy,” said Hjelmgren.
Text and Photos sourced from www.volvotrucks.com
Facts:
The main materials in a Volvo FH diesel truck are steel (47%), cast iron (26%), polymers (11%) and aluminium (8%). They stand for around 44%, 26%, 14% and 8% of the CO2 emissions from the production (cradle to gate) out of the total 21 tons CO2 Equivalents for the Volvo FH diesel.
Low-CO2-emission steel is a steel with a significant reduction of CO2 (80% or more) from cradle to gate. CO2 Equivalents includes all greenhouse gas emissions including e.g. methane
