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Volvo’s Bold Vision: 50% Electric Truck Market Share in Europe by 2030

Volvo stakes its claim as a leader in heavy-duty electric trucks, targeting 50% electric truck sales in Europe by 2030 through innovation, partnerships, and sustainability.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 27, 2025

Volvo stakes its claim as a leader in heavy-duty electric trucks, targeting 50% electric truck sales in Europe by 2030 through innovation, partnerships, and sustainability.

Volvo Trucks’ Electrification Ambition: Leading Europe’s Transition to Sustainable Transport

The commercial freight industry stands at a pivotal crossroads, and Volvo Trucks is taking a leadership role in steering Europe and the world toward a cleaner, greener future. With climate change and urban air quality becoming urgent global priorities, Volvo has announced its ambitious goal: by 2030, 50% of all new trucks the company sells in Europe will be electric. This strategy not only positions Volvo at the forefront of sustainable transport but also sets a benchmark for other manufacturers and logistics providers globally.

This article examines Volvo’s vision, the steps and partnerships fueling this drive, the challenges of infrastructure and technology, and the far-reaching environmental and business impacts of electrifying Europe’s truck fleet.

The Road to Electrification: Volvo’s Path and Progress

Volvo Trucks began its journey toward heavy-duty electrification in earnest in 2019, and has since delivered over 5,000 electric trucks across 50 countries. These efforts have placed Volvo as the European market leader in the heavy electric truck segment for five consecutive years, and it’s also among the top players in North America.

The company’s broad electric truck portfolio meets the needs of industries ranging from city distribution and construction to long-haul freight and waste management.

Eight distinct electric models now available, covering diverse applications
More than 1,970 electric Volvo trucks registered in Europe in 2024 alone
Top markets for Volvo’s electric trucks include Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States
A growing base of repeat customers expanding their fleets with Volvo electric trucks

Through these vehicles, Volvo’s electric fleet has collectively traveled nearly 170 million kilometers in commercial operations, dramatically reducing CO₂ emissions and noise pollution in urban and rural areas alike.

Driven by Partnerships: Strategic Collaboration Accelerates Change

Transitioning from diesel to electric transport is a complex challenge requiring collaboration across the logistics value chain. Volvo has sealed multiple landmark partnerships to accelerate electrification, demonstrating a blend of scale, ambition, and shared commitment.

Major European Orders Signal Momentum

DSV’s game-changing order: In 2024, DSV, one of Europe’s largest logistics companies, placed a milestone order for 800 Volvo heavy-duty trucks, 300 of which are full battery-electric. This step forms part of DSV’s plan to integrate up to 2,000 electric trucks into its European fleet by 2030. DSV’s current order also includes 500 advanced diesel/LNG trucks, all to be delivered between 2024 and 2026.
Holcim’s decarbonization partnership: Global building materials leader Holcim signed a letter of intent to deploy up to 1,000 electric Volvo trucks in its European operations by 2030, making significant progress toward its target of 30% zero-emission truck purchases or contracts in the same period. The first 130 units are due by the end of 2024.
Danfoss electric fleet case: Danfoss became the first company in Denmark to operate a 24-hour e-truck fleet using Volvo’s electric vehicles on fixed routes, leveraging on-site charging with minimal downtime, and further expanding to nine fully electric trucks in 2024.

These agreements highlight a new reality: large-scale electric truck integration is happening now, and is seen as practical and economically justifiable by industry leaders.

Volvo’s Electric Truck Portfolio: Meeting Diverse Transport Needs

Volvo’s eight-model electric lineup addresses urban, regional, and long-haul requirements. The following table summarizes the key features and typical uses of the core electric truck models Volvo offers as of 2025:

Model	Key Features	Primary Use
Volvo FH Electric	High capacity, long range, advanced safety	Long-haul freight
Volvo FM Electric	Flexible chassis, spacious cab	Regional and urban delivery, construction
Volvo FMX Electric	Robust design, off-road capability	Construction, heavy-duty applications
Volvo FL/FE Electric	Compact, agile	City distribution, refuse, utility work
Volvo FH Aero Electric	Enhanced aerodynamics, improved efficiency	Highway and long-range distribution
Volvo VNR Electric	Optimized for North America	Regional haul in US, Canada

Models serve cities, regional routes, construction, and even inter-city and cross-border transportation.
Continuous model updates include improved range (up to 600 km/charge for new releases), driver comfort, and advanced safety systems.

Supporting the Shift: Charging Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure represents both a challenge and an opportunity. By 2030, industry analyses predict Europe will require at least 40,000 fast chargers along major transport corridors to support up to 400,000 electric trucks operating across the continent.

Private investment and public support: Building a pan-European charging network will require cooperation among governments, utilities, logistics companies, and truck manufacturers.
Renewable energy integration: Many existing and planned charging hubs use or plan to use solar or wind power, ensuring the transition delivers genuine emissions reductions.
Operational efficiency: Enhanced battery capacity, rapid charging technology, route-specific charging strategies, and telematics optimize uptime and minimize downtime.
Fleet-specific solutions: Logistics firms such as DSV and Holcim install distributed charging at depots and major logistics centers, leveraging renewable sources for added sustainability.

The result is a gradually maturing network poised to support the needs of both early adopters and a mass market.

The Case for Electric Trucks: Environmental, Social, and Economic Impacts

The advantages of transitioning to an electric truck fleet extend far beyond emissions reduction. Key benefits include:

Zero direct exhaust emissions: Electric trucks produce no tailpipe CO₂, NO_x, or particulate pollution, critically improving air quality—especially in dense urban environments and near sensitive sites such as schools and hospitals.
Noise reduction: Electric drive systems run more quietly, enabling nighttime deliveries and operations in areas with strict noise ordinances.
Operational cost savings: Lower fuel (energy), reduced maintenance requirements, and government incentives combine to reduce total cost of ownership for many haulage firms over a truck’s lifetime.
Enhanced driver experience: Reduced vibration, smoother acceleration, and quieter cabs contribute to healthier, more attractive working conditions for drivers.
Reputational and regulatory gains: Companies leading in electrification benefit from improved brand perception, easier compliance with changing urban access rules, and early alignment with emerging regulations.

If Volvo and its customers replace 1,000 traditional diesel trucks with electric trucks running on green electricity on typical European routes, up to 50,000 tons of CO₂ could be saved annually. Scale this impact to the sector level, and the potential for transformative change becomes clear.

Challenges and the Road Ahead: What Must Change for Full-Scale Adoption?

Despite momentum, the shift to large-scale electric freight is not without hurdles:

Upfront investment: Electric trucks carry a higher purchase price than diesel models, though lifetime costs are often lower due to operational savings.
Charging network coverage: Broad, reliable fast-charging infrastructure is essential, particularly for long-distance haulage.
Grid capacity and renewables: Significant scaling of green electricity generation and distribution will be required to reliably supply commuter corridors and freight hubs with clean power.
Battery technology: Ongoing innovation will further increase range and reduce charging time, enabling more applications and shifting economics.
Market education: Many smaller operators remain unfamiliar with electric truck business models, incentives, and best practices.

Volvo is responding to these challenges with continued R&D, strategic alliances, and robust after-sales support. Its multi-path zero-emission strategy also explores fuel cell (hydrogen) trucks alongside battery-electric solutions, aiming for full decarbonization by 2040.

Perspectives from Industry Leaders

Visionary leadership and collaborative spirit underpin Volvo’s progress, as evidenced by public statements from top executives:

Martin Lundstedt, President & CEO, Volvo Group: “Long-term collaboration and a strong commitment to really make a difference are essential for making big CO₂ reductions a reality. I’m very proud of the partnerships we’ve developed.”
Roger Alm, President, Volvo Trucks: “We are proud to be leading the transformation to zero emission transport. Our battery-electric trucks are available here and now. Many of our customers are coming back to us to grow their electric fleets.”
Jan Jenisch, Chairman and CEO, Holcim: “The net-zero transition requires deep collaboration across value chains. We are excited to be partnering with Volvo to decarbonize our European operations’ logistics with electric fleets.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is Volvo’s goal for electric truck sales in Europe by 2030?

A: Volvo aims for 50% of all new trucks sold in Europe to be either battery or fuel cell electric by 2030.

Q: Which Volvo electric truck models are available currently?

A: Volvo offers eight electric models, including the FL Electric, FE Electric, FM Electric, FM Low Entry, FMX Electric, FH Electric, FH Aero Electric, and VNR Electric, serving different segments from city delivery to heavy-duty long-haul.

Q: Are there significant environmental benefits from switching to electric trucks?

A: Yes. Electric trucks reduce or eliminate exhaust emissions (CO₂, NO_x, particulates), lower city noise pollution, and can significantly decrease lifecycle emissions when powered by renewable energy sources.

Q: What are the main challenges for widespread electric truck adoption?

A: Key challenges include higher upfront vehicle costs, building extensive fast-charging networks, ensuring grid and renewable electricity capacity, advancing battery range, and market education for buyers and operators.

Q: How far can Volvo’s latest electric trucks travel on a single charge?

A: The next generation of Volvo electric trucks targets ranges of up to 600 kilometers per charge. Range varies depending on truck model, battery configuration, load, and use case.

Conclusion: Electrification as a Catalyst for Transformation

Volvo’s pledge to have 50% electric truck sales in Europe by 2030 is far more than a corporate milestone—it signals a profound transformation in how society moves goods and how companies strategize around sustainability, technology, and competitiveness. As partnerships blossom, infrastructure grows, and public policy aligns with environmental goals, Europe’s logistics network stands on the threshold of a new era—one built on clean innovation, climate responsibility, and resilient economic growth.

Volvo’s electric trucks, bolstered by a decade of investment, continuous improvement, and strategic collaboration, are at the heart of that revolution.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

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