Volvo Trucks, in a groundbreaking partnership with Holcim, a leading global building solutions provider, has achieved a significant milestone by securing a deal to sell 1,000 electric trucks by 2030. This agreement not only represents Volvo’s largest commercial order for electric vehicles to date but also underscores their commitment to sustainable transportation solutions.
The initial delivery of 130 Volvo FH and Volvo FM electric trucks is scheduled for 2023 and 2024, targeting key markets in France, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK. While technical specifications are not explicitly mentioned, it is plausible that these truck models have been specifically designed for the construction industry. The latest variants feature rigid chassis capable of accommodating various superstructures such as cranes, refuse compactors, and concrete mixers.
Headquartered in Switzerland, Holcim aims to decarbonize its operations and, in alignment with its broader sustainability goals, has joined forces with Volvo Trucks. This partnership signifies a joint commitment to achieving substantial carbon reductions and driving the transition toward net-zero emissions, thereby contributing to a greener future.
Martin Lundstedt, the President & CEO of Volvo Group, emphasizes the paramount importance of long-term collaboration and dedication to achieving significant carbon reductions. The partnership with Holcim stands as a testament to their shared vision and their ability to achieve positive outcomes together.
Jan Jenisch, Chairman and CEO of Holcim, highlights the necessity for “deep collaboration” across value chains to successfully accomplish the net-zero transition. By incorporating Volvo’s electric fleets into its logistics operations, Holcim aims to reach its target of having 30% zero-emission heavy-duty trucks by 2030. Moreover, the company anticipates an annual reduction of up to 50,000 tons of CO2.
It is worth noting that Volvo Trucks is not the only partner supporting Holcim’s sustainability efforts. The building material specialist has reportedly teamed up with Magment, a German company, to introduce a groundbreaking concrete-based solution that facilitates wireless charging of vehicles in motion. In addition, Holcim has embraced zero-emission concrete mixers through collaborations with Liebherr, Designwerk, and Hyliion.
Volvo Trucks has made remarkable progress in electrification, evident from a staggering 141% surge in electric truck orders during the first quarter of this year. With ambitions to have electric trucks account for 50% of its global sales by 2030 and achieve 100% electrification by 2040, Volvo Trucks has been actively introducing electric models such as the FE Electric and FL Electric. The production of electric variants within the heavy FH, FM, and FMX series commenced in September 2022 at the Gothenburg plant, with further releases scheduled for this year. Furthermore, Volvo Trucks will initiate electric truck assembly at its Ghent plant in Belgium.
Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks, states, “Our commitment to sustainable transport is clearly paying off. We are determined to work closely together with our customers to decarbonize truck transport.”
In a separate context, it is important to address recent allegations against the Volvo Group by the climate think-tank InfluenceMap. They accuse the company of lobbying against stricter climate regulations for the industry through its memberships in ACEA (Europe) and EMA (USA). Such allegations remind us of the ongoing challenges faced by companies in their journey toward sustainability and the need for continuous scrutiny and improvement.
In summary, Volvo Trucks’ partnership with Holcim marks a significant milestone in the field of sustainable transportation. By leveraging Volvo’s expertise in electric vehicle manufacturing and Holcim’s commitment to decarbonization, this collaboration paves the way for substantial CO2 reductions, increased adoption of electric trucks, and a greener future for the construction industry and beyond.
