Volvo Trucks Ghent, Belgium’s only truck assembly plant, has built the first Belgian electric truck for logistics company Katoen Natie, the Swedish brand announced on Wednesday. This is the first step towards series production later this year.
The model is an FH Electric truck with a range of 300 kilometres with a maximum load of 44 tonnes. It is priced at €350,000 – around double that of a standard diesel truck. These trucks will be aimed at the entire European market.
The Volvo Group plans to make major investments at the Ghent site over the next few years, including the installation of a battery module factory by 2025. This infrastructure, representing an investment of around €75 million, will supply batteries for the electric models produced in Ghent. These trucks will be destined for the entire European market.
Volvo Trucks Gent presents Belgium's first electric truck https://t.co/cMaPhnNn7M#Belga #FlandersNewsService #Volvo #etruck #Flanders pic.twitter.com/et0DvIb2DF
— Belga News Agency_English (@Belga_English) July 12, 2023
In addition, a new logistics centre will be built on the site in 2024 to store additional parts related to the addition of new electric models.
The project is expected to create at least 100 jobs at the site, according to the plant manager. The Flemish government has supported it with a subsidy of around €470,000.
The manufacturer aims for at least 50% of Volvo trucks purchased worldwide to be electric by 2030.
