AB Volvo starts manufacturing electric trucks at the factory in Gothenburg. Something that can create new jobs. It is about the production of so-called heavy trucks for regional traffic.
– It is a very important step. We started with the production of the medium-duty trucks for urban transport and now we are taking the next step to more regional transport. This is a very important step if we are to electrify the transport sector in the long term, says Jonas Odermalm, head of electromobility at Volvo Trucks, to Ekot,
Could it mean new jobs that you will also build electric trucks in Gothenburg?
– In the long run, it could very well do that, yes.
The automotive industry is undergoing a major restructuring, where more and more vehicles will run on electricity to reduce emissions.
It is also a major challenge for the industry and there are many jobs in Sweden that can be affected by this change, depending on whether it goes well or not for the Swedish companies.
Scania will start manufacturing its first electric truck in Södertälje next year. It can, for example, be used for refrigerated transport or garbage collection.
Volvo, on the other hand, already manufactures certain truck models with electric drive and now the company will broaden its range and start manufacturing heavy electric trucks in Gothenburg.
It makes that the company is far ahead in the transition, says Jonas Odermalm.
– We will start series production in 2022 and pre-production will start soon, he says to Ekot.
Volvo’s goal is for half of all trucks sold in Europe to be electric in ten years.
But the competition on The electric truck market will increase, for example from start-ups.
– Competition is always good. So we look at it positively. We welcome that, says Odermalm.
These trucks can be driven up to 300 kilometers on a single charge. Is that enough for customers to be interested in them?
– Yes, we definitely see that. Many times, customers are surprised that we have come this far, Odermalm tells Ekot.
The company aims to be emission-free by 2050 and Volvo is now also committed to following an initiative for scientific climate goals.
– The reason why we do this is because we want to answer the question: How can we meet the increased need for transport in the future, but at the same time reduce the impact on the climate and the environment, he says to Ekot.
Source: ICELAND NEWS