Record electric truck order for Volvo

October 14, 2021

Volvo Trucks has received an order for 100 Volvo FM Electric trucks from DFDS, northern Europe’s largest shipping and logistics company. The deal is the largest commercial order to date for Volvo electric trucks, and one of the largest ever for heavy electric trucks worldwide.

DFDS – headquartered in Copenhagen – provides ferry and transport services in and around Europe, generating annual revenues of DKK19 billion (about R44,46 billion). Its 10 000 employees are located across more than 20 countries.

The first Volvo FM Electric was recently handed over to DFDS by Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks. “This is a major milestone in our commitment to fossil-free transportation and I am very proud of the partnership we have with DFDS. Together we are showing the world that electrified heavy truck transport is a viable solution. I believe this will encourage many more customers to confidently take the first step in their own electrification journey,” commented Alm.

The first bulk deliveries of the Volvo FM Electric to DFDS will start in the fourth quarter of 2022 and continue throughout 2023. “At DFDS, we’re determined to play our part in reducing CO₂emissions and creating a sustainable supply chain. We know how important electrification is in the journey to reach our CO₂targets, and I hope we can inspire others as we move forward in this vital transition,” explained Niklas Andersson, executive vice president and head of the Logistics Division at DFDS.

The FM Electric can carry a weight of 44 tonnes (gross combination weight) and has a range of up to 300 km. With a top-up charging session during lunch, for example, the distance can be extended. The vehicles can be charged both via overnight depot charging (each truck comes with an AC charger) and via high-power charging en route (DC charging).