Volvo Group recently completed Australia’s longest-ever journey in an electric truck. Volvo Group’s loaded FH Electric drove a record-breaking 1,185km from Brisbane to Canberra. All to deliver Australia’s first zero-emissions emergency services logistics vehicle.
The record-breaking electric truck was welcomed to the ACT by ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman MLA at The National Arboretum in Canberra.
The landmark journey highlighted the possibilities of zero-emissions interstate freight whilst also delivering the Volvo FL Electric Breathing Apparatus Truck – to the ACT Emergency Service Agency (ESA). The vehicle was first unveiled at the Brisbane Australasian Fire and Authorities (AFAC) conference in August 2023.
Minister Gentleman said: ‘Decarbonising our transport sector is an essential step to achieving our government’s nation-leading net-zero emissions target by 2045. This e-truck and our partnership with Volvo Group symbolise a critical milestone in our journey to achieve it. We are proud to welcome the truck to its new home in the ACT.’
Volvo Group Australia President, Martin Merrick said: ‘At Volvo Group we are always trying to push the boundaries to decarbonise heavy transportation faster. Today we have set a new record for the longest electric truck journey in Australia. This is also the maiden voyage for the FH Electric which has only recently been able to get onto the road thanks to changes to width and weight restrictions.
‘Recently announced provisional changes to front-axle-weight restrictions have enabled this journey and have shown what is possible in terms of zero-emission intercity transportation, but we need to see permanent changes harmonised on front-axle-weight restrictions across every state and territory to accelerate next generation sustainable mobility and meet our climate targets.’
The journey from Brisbane to Canberra took 19 hours over two days and required 8 charging stops utilising the renewable-energy-powered Evie charging network. Power consumption was just over 2,000kWh whilst vehicle battery capacity is 540kWh, average charge time was 1.5 hours using 350kWh DC fast charging. Due to driving-hours requirements two drivers were used to complete the journey.
The Volvo FH Electric that completed this interstate journey is the largest truck in Volvo’s heavy-duty electric truck range. Launched earlier this year, it is one of the only OEM heavy-duty electric trucks available to order in the country capable of regional haulage with a range of up to 300km.
The ACT ESA vehicle is a FL Electric and will be used for logistics tasks by the ACT ESA. Following initial Volvo driver development training and vehicle implementation processes, this first vehicle is expected to go into operational service in and around the ACT in early 2024.
Volvo Group Australia has been manufacturing trucks in Australia for 50 years and with the enabling regulatory settings is committed to manufacturing its range of FM and FH heavy-duty electric vehicles at its Wacol production facility as early as 2027.
