Volvo unveils heavy duty electric truck with 600km range

Swedish truck company Volvo has unveiled the next generation of its FH Electric heavy-duty electric truck which will now boast an electric range of up to 600 kilometres, double that of its predecessor.

Volvo launched the first FH Electric in late 2020 as part of its first complete range of electric trucks. Sales began the next year, with volume production in 2022. The first FH Electric was sold in Australia in March of this year, after it made its official Australian debut in May of 2023 at the company’s Sustainability Summit in Brisbane.

Boasting a 540kWh battery pack and a range of up to 300 kilometres, the FH Electric subsequently completed Australia’s longest electric truck journey, travelling 1,185 kilometres from Brisbane to Canberra in around 19 hours, including necessary charging.

That necessary charging time is soon to be cut short, however, after Volvo announced this week the launch of its new FH Electric, which doubles the expected range of the truck.

Volvo credits the added range on its new driveline technology, the so-called e-axle, which allowed for increased battery capacity to be installed. More efficient batteries, an improved battery management system, and the overall efficiency of the powertrain also contribute to the extended range.

Volvo Cars dumps 2030 all-electric target, to ramp up hybrids as it weakens climate goals

Swedish based Volvo Cars has abandoned its 2030 all electric target and has replaced it with a new goal of using plug-in hybrids and even mild hybrids to reach a diluted target of having only “electrified” cars on offer by the end of the decade.

Volvo blames the backflip from one of the world’s most progressive EV targets to “changing market conditions” and customer demands.

“Going forward, Volvo Cars aims for 90 to 100 per cent of its global sales volume by 2030 to consist of electrified cars, meaning a mix of both fully electric and plug-in hybrid models – in essence, all cars with a cord,” it said in a statement overnight.

“The remaining 0-10 per cent will allow for a limited number of mild hybrid models to be sold, if needed. This replaces the company’s previous ambition for its line-up to be fully electric by 2030.”

Volvo has already released five full battery electric car models – the EX40, the EC40, the EX30, the EM90 and its newly launched “flagship”, the EX90.

EVs currently account for around 26 per cent of its sales in the latest quarter – above most of its peers. Add in plug in hybrids, and that total comes to 48 per cent.

Just months after producing the last of its diesel powered cars, it now says it will continue to develop plug-in and mild hybrid cars “as a clear bridge” to an all-electric future. It is particularly focused on an updated version of its XC90 hybrid car, despite claiming huge interest in the fully [electric] EX90.

Volvo blamed a raft of issues for the change in strategy, including the slower than expected rollout of charging infrastructure, withdrawal of government incentives in some markets and the “additional uncertainties” created by recent tariffs on EVs in various markets.