Volvo Group Australia has started manufacturing electric heavy trucks at its Wacol facility near Brisbane, making them the first electric trucks produced in Australia by an original equipment manufacturer. This milestone highlights a significant step forward for local manufacturing and the nation’s transition to zero-emission transport.
First Electric Trucks Built in Australia by an OEM
Volvo Group Australia announced that its Wacol plant has produced the first electric heavy trucks ever built in Australia by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). According to the company, “These are the first electric trucks manufactured in Australia by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and a milestone for the nation’s manufacturing capability, workforce and the future of zero-tailpipe emissions transport.” The trucks are “built at the same Wacol facility where Volvo has manufactured trucks for Australian conditions for more than 50 years.”
Production Details and Local Content
The components for these electric trucks are shipped from Sweden, with some locally supplied parts such as cab trim. The NCA battery cells are sourced from Samsung, and the battery packs are assembled in Europe. Volvo’s Wacol facility could shift up to 30% of its production to battery electric vehicles “if the demand is there.”
Truck Specifications and Market Deployment
The current electric lineup offers a range of up to 300 km (~186 miles) and a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of 45 tons. Linfox, a major logistics company, has ordered 30 of these trucks to add to its fleet of 2,500 diesel vehicles. While these trucks “won’t get across the Nulabor, but will be useful in the cities,” they are expected to play a key role in urban freight transport.
A next-generation lineup with a range of 470 km (~292 miles) and a GCM of 65 tons has also been launched, and a 700 km (~435 miles) range variant is now available in Europe. The Wacol-built vehicles are first generation, with plans to move to local serial production of the next-generation electric trucks in 18 months.
Government Support and Industry Collaboration
The federal government has invested A$70M (~$48.8M) to help bridge the cost gap between diesel and battery electric trucks. Linfox’s purchase of electric trucks has been supported by the Australian Labour government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). At the launch event, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated, “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.”
Other attendees included Roger Alm, Executive Vice President of Volvo Group and President of Volvo Trucks; Martin Merrick, President & CEO of Volvo Group Australia; Linfox CEO Mark Mazurek; Ben Lazzaro, Chief Executive of the Australian Made Campaign; and Julie Delvecchio, CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council.
Industry Perspectives and Future Outlook
Roger Alm commented, “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.”
Martin Merrick added, “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.”
Why this matters
The start of local production for electric heavy trucks by Volvo marks a significant milestone for Australia’s manufacturing sector and the broader adoption of zero-emission transport. It demonstrates the potential for Australian industry to contribute to decarbonizing freight and logistics, with support from both government and private sector partners.
With increasing pressure to reduce transport emissions and the rising cost of diesel, the availability of locally built electric trucks provides new options for fleet operators and supports Australia’s sustainability goals.
What this means for buyers
Fleet operators now have access to electric heavy trucks built specifically for Australian conditions, with government incentives helping to offset higher upfront costs. Buyers should monitor the rollout of next-generation models, which promise longer range and higher payloads, and consider how local support and servicing from Volvo’s established network may benefit long-term operations.
Key Specs
- Manufacturing Location: Wacol, Queensland, Australia
- First Generation Range: Up to 300 km (~186 miles)
- First Generation GCM: 45 tons
- Next-Gen Range: 470 km (~292 miles)
- Next-Gen GCM: 65 tons
- Battery Cells: Samsung NCA, packs assembled in Europe
- Initial Order: 30 trucks by Linfox
- Federal Government Investment: A$70M (~$48.8M)
Source
Images sourced from: cleantechnica.com, reuters.com
