Volvo Trucks claims nearly half share of European electric truck market

Volvo Trucks has cemented itself as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electric trucks, with new figures showing that the company accounted for 42% of the European market for electric trucks and secured orders for 1,100 electric trucks worldwide.

As the global trucking industry begins its ponderous shift to decarbonising its operations the trucking automotive sector is beginning to see the results of its own shift.

Volvo Trucks, the global truck manufacturing subsidiary of Swedish manufacturing giant AB Volvo, highlighted this week new figures from market analysis group HIS Markit which showed that Volvo Trucks secured a European market share of electric truck sales of 42% in 2021.

This was backed by a global order book of more than 1,100 electric trucks.

A total of 346 new electric 16-tonne+ trucks were registered in Europe in 2021, an increase of 193% over those registered in 2020, led by Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands, with Volvo Trucks accounting for 42% of all new European electric trucks in 2021.

“We are determined to drive the electric truck revolution and our market-leading position in Europe is proof that we are doing just that,” said Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks.

“Even if volumes are still low, we see rapidly growing interest, both in Europe, North America and in other parts of the world.

“In 2021 we have taken orders, including letters of intent to buy, for more than 1,100 trucks in over 20 countries. I’m convinced it’s becoming a key competitive advantage to offer electric, zero emission transports.”

Volvo Trucks only began serial production of electric trucks in 2019 and was one of the world’s first truck brands to do so, and serial production of the heavy-duty electric Volvo FH, Volvo FM, and Volvo FMX is expected to begin in the Northern Autumn.

It’s medium-duty Volvo FL has also arrived on Australian shores for testing – so stay tuned for more on that.

With these trucks on the horizon, Volvo Trucks believes it will have the most comprehensive portfolio in the global trucking industry.

“Clearly, these numbers show that we’re off to a very good start in sales,” said Alm.

“With the broader electric truck line up, it will be possible to electrify nearly half of heavy road transports. This proportion will grow even larger as the distance that electric trucks can drive increases and the charging infrastructure for heavy trucks becomes further developed.”