Volvo Trucks starts production of the FH Aero Electric and unveils 80-Tonne Truck
Volvo Trucks has started series production of the new FH Aero Electric. The first vehicles of the long-haul model with a 700 km range are rolling off the production line in Tuve, Sweden, near Gothenburg. At the IAA Transportation, the manufacturer is also showcasing an electric 80-tonne truck.
Electric 80-tonne truck from Volvo Trucks
Image: Volvo Trucks
With the new FH Aero Electric introduced in June, Volvo Trucks garnered considerable industry attention – as one of the first electric trucks from Europe capable of achieving a range of 700 kilometres on a single battery charge. The model, along with its new e-axle, has been available for order since mid-June —and now series production has also begun at Volvo Trucks’ plant in Tuve, near Gothenburg, Sweden.
Volvo points out that the new Volvo FH Aero Electric, along with the next-generation Volvo FH Electric, Volvo FM Electric and Volvo FMX Electric, now enable companies to handle significantly more transport tasks powered purely with electricity than before.
“We are now turning groundbreaking technology into industrial reality. Starting series production of our new electric trucks is a clear proof of our commitment to lead the transformation to more sustainable truck transport,” says Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks. “The response from customers is very positive and we see a high interest in ordering the new trucks. With longer ranges, maximum flexibility across different applications and excellent drivability, it’s easier than ever to go electric.”
Volvo Trucks Focuses on High Net Battery Capacity
One of the standout features of the Volvo FH Aero Electric is its particularly large battery, with a high usable capacity. Of the 780 kWh of installed battery capacity (in the form of eight battery packs, each with 97.5 kWh), 725 kWh is usable. This is what enables the impressive range of 700 kilometres.
Competitor MAN is showcasing the new generation of the MAN eTGX at IAA Transportation, also said to achieve a range of up to 720 kilometres, but this requires ideal conditions. The typical daily range for the new eTGX is stated to be over 600 kilometres. This comes as no surprise, as MAN offers “only” 644 kWh gross / 616 kWh net battery capacity — significantly less than the Volvo FH Aero Electric.
Electric 80-tonne truck makes debut
In addition to announcing the start of production for the new FH Aero Electric, Volvo Trucks is also bringing a new electric truck to IAA Transportation — and this one is designed for gross combination weights of up to 80 tonnes. This is almost double the usual 42 tonnes and falls into the category of heavy-haul transport that requires special permits in Germany.
Accordingly, Volvo Trucks does not see Germany as a target market for this model but instead plans to launch the vehicle initially only in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Switzerland. For gross combination weights of 64 tonnes, as permitted in these countries, ranges of up to 450 kilometres per battery charge are achievable. For gross combination weights of 74 or 76 tonnes, as allowed in Sweden and Finland, ranges of up to 420 kilometres are possible.
“High total weights in truck transport lower both transport costs and environmental impact. If we also electrify these transports, we take an important step towards more sustainable transport,” says Jan Hjelmgren, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Volvo Trucks.
The 80-tonne trucks consists of an electric truck with a fixed body and a trailer. The market introduction of the Volvo FH Electric with a fixed body will begin gradually from early 2027. For this model, all Volvo FH cabs except the XXL cab will be available, including standard and Aero cabs.