Volvo starts electric truck production in Ghent, Belgium

Heavy battery-electric truck production in Ghent (Photo: Volvo Trucks)

Volvo Trucks has started volume production of heavy battery electric trucks at its plant in Ghent, Belgium.

The addition means that electric Volvo trucks are now being assembled at four factories, with three in Europe and one in the United States.

The first was Blainville in France, which started production in 2019. This was followed a year later by the New River Valley plant in the US, producing the VNR Electric. The third site was Tuve, Sweden, which produces the heaviest models.

“I´m thrilled! The Ghent factory is the largest one in our network, so this is a very important milestone. Now even more transport companies can go electric with Volvo,” said Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks.

Three electric models will be produced in Ghent: the Volvo FH; Volvo FM; and Volvo FMX Electric. These trucks can operate at a total weight of 44 tonnes and can be adapted for a wide range of transport applications.

The Ghent factory is the largest Volvo Trucks production site, with an annual capacity of around 45,000 units. The electric trucks are assembled on the same platform and line as diesel and gas-powered trucks, a setup that gives the factory high flexibility in the model mix.

Battery packs are delivered from the recently-opened battery assembly plant, located next to the production line.

“Just a few years ago, many thought it was impossible to electrify heavy truck transport. But we decided early on that electrification is our main path to zero emissions. Now we can offer an industry-leading range of purpose-built electric trucks, in commercial operation all around the world,” says Roger Alm.

Volvo Trucks reports that it has taken orders, including letters of intent to buy, for around 6000 electric trucks in 42 countries on six continents.