DFDS sets its first electric truck in service with Volvo Trucks
In August, DFDS will launch a new project to operate its first electric truck. The truck from Volvo Trucks will during a test phase transport parts to their truck factory near Gothenburg as well as gather the necessary data and experience to upscale and build a sustainable supply chain.
DFDS and Volvo Trucks have initiated a joint project for sustainable road transport. Volvo Truck’s heavy-duty electric truck, FM Electric, will be delivered to DFDS and put into operation after the summer 2021. The Volvo FM Electric is expected to go into production in the second half of 2022.
Volvo Group is one of the largest manufacturers of trucks and other vehicles in the world – and by that also a major transport buyer itself. The aim is to build a fossil free supply chain.
“This full-scale electric project demonstrateshow serious DFDS is about shifting to electric mobility for a more sustainable transport business. Our ambition is to operate as responsibly as possible. A part of that is to upgrade our road fleet to reduce exhaust emissions and ensure optimal safety and efficiency,” says Niklas Andersson, Executive Vice President & Head of DFDS’ Logistics Division.
“I am very happy and proud to cooperate with DFDS on this journey towards more sustainable transports. Volvo Group has set the target to build a fossil free supply chain and this is an important milestone on the way,” says Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks. “Our joint goal is to learn from each other and gain deeper, useful insights covering crucial topics such as battery capacity, route planning, charging, the drivers’ experiences and much more.”
DFDS will use the FM Electric to study route planning, charging strategy, running costs and how to scale up electric trucks more widely in their fleet. Valuable experiences from drivers about charging and handling, as well as the work environment in terms of noise and vibrations will also be taken into consideration.
Most powerful charging station
To future-proof its investment, DFDS plans to build the most powerful DC charging station on the market at its home depot in Gothenburg, with a capacity of 350 kW.
“We are in the beginning of our e-mobility journey and understand that charging capacity is important. The learning experience with Volvo will be valuable when ramping up, allowing us to evaluate vehicle battery capacity based on routes and individual assignments,” says Niklas Andersson.
Volvo Trucks adds three more models to the electric line-up
With the recently announced sales start for three new heavy duty electric truck models – the Volvo FH, FM and FMX – Volvo Trucks now has an impressive line-up of six medium and heavy-duty electric trucks. This is currently the most complete commercial electric truck range in the industry.
“With the introduction of these new fully electric vehicles, with higher load capacities and more powerful drivelines, we believe the time is right for a rapid upswing in electrification of heavy road transport,” concludes Roger Alm.
Facts about Volvo Trucks electric range:
Production of the new electric Volvo FH, FM and FMX models for Europe will start in the second half of 2022. They join the Volvo FL Electric and Volvo FE Electric for urban transports that have been in serial production since 2019 for the same market. In North America, sales of the Volvo VNR Electric started in December 2020.