Australia’s DHL takes delivery of Volvo FL electric truck with bigger batteries

Volvo Trucks, one of the world’s leading provider of electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks, has delivered its first FL Electric boasting the recently announced second generation battery packs to an Australian customer.

Volvo has been increasing the size of its battery packs in its FL and FE Electric medium-duty trucks, from 50kWh to 66kWh – and, most recently, to new battery packs of around 94kWh.

While it appears that the 94kWh battery packs are still absent from Australia’s shores, Volvo announced this week that DHL  had taken delivery of the first Australian FL Electric to come with the second generation 66kWh battery packs.

To be based at the western Sydney supply chain campus of DHL Supply Chain, a division of Deutsche Post DHL, the new Volvo FL boasts a 600V motor and four 66kWh battery packs, delivering a total of 264kWh.

The two-speed transmission FL Electric is capable of a 5,500-kilogram payload and will offer a total electric range of around 300 kilometres for use servicing various metropolitan DHL Supply Chain customers.

Fitted with a tautliner van body capable of carrying eight full-sized pallets, the Volvo FL Electric also offers regenerative braking and will make for a better working experience for drivers and greater harmony with the environment and surrounds.

“Updating our fleet to zero emissions vehicles is a priority in Australia and it combines well with the measures we’re taking to reduce our carbon footprint across our operations,’  said Steve Thompsett, CEO of DHL Supply Chain.

“DHL has a strong understanding of the climate crisis and a head-start in reducing the environmental impact of its operations.

“Our company has already trialled and rolled out Volvo’s electric truck offerings in Europe, meaning that we could forgo an Australian trial and go straight to investing in these climate-benefitting vehicles.”