The Wacol plant moves into the heavy-duty electrification supply chain, with Linfox among the first operators to add the vehicles to its fleet.
Volvo Group Australia has started production of the first locally built electric trucks at its Wacol plant in Queensland. According to the company, they are the first heavy-duty electric vehicles manufactured in Australia by an OEM, a step that brings the electrification of industrial transport into the country’s manufacturing base, rather than limiting it to vehicle imports or deployment.
The announcement was presented on 8 July in Brisbane in the presence of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, alongside representatives from Volvo Group, Linfox, the Australian Made Campaign and the Electric Vehicle Council. The vehicles were assembled at the same plant where Volvo has produced trucks for the Australian market for more than 50 years, adapting them to local operating conditions.
The decision to produce Volvo battery-electric trucks in Australia signals an expansion of the country’s industrial capabilities in the zero-tailpipe-emission heavy vehicle segment. To prepare for the start of the line, Volvo brought in international specialists to train staff at the Wacol plant, creating a production base that can be developed in line with demand.
In Australia, transport accounts for around 22% of carbon emissions, with heavy freight among the most difficult segments to decarbonise. The electrification of industrial vehicles therefore depends not only on the availability of new models but also on broader operating conditions: demand from operators, public policy, harmonised road-weight rules across states, procurement commitments, and investment in charging infrastructure and the electricity grid.
Martin Merrick, President & CEO of Volvo Group Australia, underlined the industrial dimension of the project:
“This is a proud day for Volvo Trucks and for Australian manufacturing. For more than 50 years we have built Volvo trucks for Australian conditions here in Wacol, and today we have built the first electric truck ever manufactured by an OEM in this country. It proves what our people and our facilities are capable of. These trucks were built right here by an Australian team we have trained to a global standard. This is proof of concept, and a foundation we are ready to build on.”
Said Martin Merrick.
The launch also has an immediate operational impact. Linfox, the largest privately owned logistics and supply chain company in the Asia-Pacific region, will introduce the locally produced electric trucks into its fleet, linking Australian manufacturing with demand for lower-emission transport from major logistics operators.
“As an Australian owned company, Linfox is proud to support the local economy deploying the first Australian made electric trucks into our fleet. We have been an early adopter of electric vehicles, beginning our sustainability journey more than a decade ago. Today’s milestone is a prime example of what the industry can achieve in partnership with local manufacturers and government. These Australian made electric prime movers will ensure we continue to service our customers with a reliable fleet that is safe, secure, efficient and sustainable.”
Said Mark Mazurek, CEO of Linfox Australia and New Zealand.
The next step will depend on how quickly fleet operators, infrastructure providers and policymakers can turn this manufacturing milestone into a scalable pathway for zero-tailpipe-emission freight.
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