The state of Western Australia has received its first fully electric original equipment manufacturer (OEM) heavy duty truck in the form of a Volvo FM Electric truck.
Delivered to mine refurbishment, rehabilitation and recycling company CD Dodd, the electric truck comes as momentum builds to decarbonise the mining and transport sectors.
Member for Forrestfield Stephen Price has joined industry icon and ‘father’ of Volvo Trucks in Australia Max Winkless today to officially hand over the landmark vehicle.
“This is a significant milestone for Volvo Trucks and the transport industry in Western Australia,” Volvo Group president Martin Merrick says.
“The sector currently contributes 18 per cent of the state’s emissions, a figure that innovators, like CD Dodd, are going to help reduce by leading the way in adopting electric vehicles.
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“Next year will mark 60 years since Max Winkless introduced the first Volvo to Australia after working with Volvo in Sweden to create a model suitable for Australian roads. Today we see one pioneer passing the baton to another.”
Earlier in 2024, Volvo Group Australia committed to manufacturing battery electric vehicles in its Queensland facility, building on its 50-year history of Australian manufacturing.
“Our commitment to local manufacturing of electric vehicles in Wacol by as early as 2027 means that soon trucks like this Volvo FM Electric, will be made right here in Australia,” Merrick says.
“No one can get to zero emissions alone. It’s a shared responsibility among industry, government and stakeholders to work together towards reducing emissions, and that’s what we see here today.”
The Volvo FM Electric truck is a flexible and agile heavy-duty truck with zero tailpipe
emissions and near silent noise levels. It has a 300km range, can carry 50 tonnes (GCW) and has up to 490Kw of power.
CD Dodd CEO Chris Dodd has welcomed the electric truck into his fleet.
“We didn’t set out to be Western Australia’s first Volvo heavy electric truck owner, but it aligns perfectly with our company values,” he says.
“We champion technologies that enhance safety, efficiency and sustainability. The Volvo FM Electric will be a vital part of our operations, and our drivers can’t wait to get behind the wheel.”
WA minister for energy, environment and climate action Reece Whitby views electric trucks as “fundamental” to decarbonising WA roads, especially for transporting freight in and around urban areas.
“As many of our freight trucks cover long distances, decarbonising our roads requires a blend of solutions, but electric trucks are available today, and for the right jobs, they can start helping us decarbonise now,” he says.
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