Volvo Trucks launches Australian-built electric trucks and expands sustainable vehicle programmes

Volvo Trucks is advancing its sustainability agenda across product lines. In its latest VNL and VNR heavy‑duty models the company will use up to 75 % recycled plastic in components such as splash shields and interior trims, and incorporate FSC‑certified wood veneers, aiming to cut emissions from vehicle production.

In Australia, Volvo partnered with electric‑road‑freight operator New Energy Transport (NET) to deliver the first Volvo heavy‑duty electric prime mover to Unilever. The truck entered commercial service on Sydney’s freight network, and NET plans to add 11 more units over the next year under a financing arrangement with Volvo Financial Services and Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation. Volvo also began local manufacturing of battery‑electric trucks at its Wacol plant in Queensland, rolling out the first Australian‑made OEM electric trucks, a milestone for the nation’s heavy‑vehicle sector. The first of these vehicles will be operated by logistics firm Linfox.

Volvo Group Australia opened a new 21,000‑square‑metre automated parts distribution centre in Minto, doubling its previous capacity and adding storage for traction batteries and BEV components. The facility features a global‑first automated storage and retrieval system to improve parts availability and worker ergonomics.

Separately, Volvo’s FM Electric model has been adopted in Italy for airport‑fuel‑truck electrification, with JM Enterprise converting a diesel 7.5‑ton vehicle into the first fully electric hydrant dispenser, showcasing the broader applicability of Volvo’s electric truck platform.