Linfox has taken the next step in its long-term partnership with Volvo Trucks Australia, with the delivery of the first of its heavy-duty electric prime movers, including Australia’s very first Volvo FM electric.
The first Volvo Electric vehicle in Australia, a Volvo FL, joined the BevChain fleet more than three years ago and has generated positive feedback from drivers, customers and the public. It is then fitting that the first Australian FM Electric, also arrived in Linfox red and yellow.
With a range of up to 300 kilometres at a gross weight of 50 tons, the new heavy-duty trucks are a significant advance in size, gross vehicle mass and battery capacity and will enable Linfox to service customers across longer-distance operations with larger loads.
The global CEO of Volvo Group, Martin Lundstedt, was in Australia to hand over the new trucks to Linfox founder, Lindsay Fox AC and Executive Chairman Linfox Pty Ltd, Peter Fox AM at the Australian Automotive Research Centre in Anglesea.
Accepting the keys, CEO Linfox Australia and New Zealand, Mark Mazurek said “This significant milestone leads our organisation and the industry towards a more safe, secure, efficient and sustainable future. This investment represents another step towards our leadership in decarbonising heavy vehicle transportation.”
“Volvo Group and Linfox have been working in close partnership for many years, and we’re delighted that together we’re showing the Australian transport industry that electrification of transport is viable and the way of the future,” said Volvo Australia CEO, Martin Merrick.
“While other companies are in the early stages of trialling electric trucks, Linfox is among the first logistics operators to put them into service.
“Linfox’s early adoption and leadership will help the industry move towards a national strategy for electric transport.
“Volvo plans to manufacture electric trucks at our Wacol plant in Queensland before the end of the decade, facilitated by partnerships like the one we share with Linfox,” said Martin.
Volvo Group is also exploring other technologies, with the recent launch of the latest FH16 with a 780-horsepower engine that can run on renewable Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
“Australian conditions are unique and a nationwide operation like Linfox has to cater to the whole range of requirements. Alongside the FH, FM and FL Electrics, the new FH16 delivers the horsepower, range and fuel-efficiency needed for long-haul transport, with the ability to use renewable fuels,” said Martin.
“Working alongside Linfox on our journey to a sustainable future is immensely rewarding. Partnerships like this are vital if we are to meet our future emissions targets. Helping Linfox achieve their decarbonisation goals is an absolute win-win for us all.”
This article was provided by Linfox supplier partner Volvo.