The popularity of heavy electric trucks saw unprecedented growth in 2022 in both Europe and the United States, and Volvo Trucks has now sold more than 4 300 electric trucks globally in more than 38 countries since production started in 2019. South African customers can expect to see deliveries of these heavy electric trucks starting in May 2023.

Volvo Trucks has sold more than 4300 electric trucks in more than 38 countries around the world. Image credit: Volvo Trucks

Volvo Trucks has sold more than 4300 electric trucks in more than 38 countries around the world. Image credit: Volvo Trucks

In South Africa, these heavy electric trucks fall within the extra heavy commercial vehicle segment. This classification comprises trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVM) exceeding 16.5 tonnes.

“Although we are in the early stages of our electric truck journey here in South Africa, our staff and dealers are fully trained and prepared for this new technology, to enable us to fully support our customers as more and more fleets move to sustainable transport solutions,” says Waldemar Christiansen, MD of Volvo Trucks South Africa. “There are of course some infrastructural and legislative obstacles to overcome, but together with our customers and other stakeholders, we are working hard to ensure the success and longevity of heavy electric trucks in South Africa.”

The company is the market leader in In Europe with a 32% share of the market for heavy electric trucks, and in North America, nearly half of all heavy electric trucks registered in 2022 were Volvo trucks.

In 2022, the market for heavy (≥16 tonnes) electric trucks in Europe, grew by 200% to 1 041 trucks, and the company holds the highest share of this market.

“We are determined to lead the electric truck transformation and our market leading position in 2022, not only in Europe, but also in North America and other markets, is proof that we are doing just that. Although the market for electric trucks is still small, the trend is clear: many of our customers are now starting their shift to electric. We intend to be the catalyst for this transition and aim for 50% of our global sales of new trucks to be electric in 2030,” says Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks.

The company offers the industry´s broadest product line-up with six product ranges in series production, catering to a wide variety of transports in and between cities.

“We now have a product portfolio that can cover most types of transportation for all kinds of customers. Looking at the goods flow patterns, it’s possible to electrify nearly half of all transports with our line-up of electric trucks,” comments Roger Alm. “We see it as our mission to support our customers in making that happen.”