DFDS puts 10 Volvo electric semi trucks to work in UK, ‘only’ 115 more to go

European logistics firm DFDS placed a massive, 100 unit order for Volvo’s long-range electric semi truck earlier this year. Last week, they put their first 10 examples on the road delivering goods in northwest England and Ireland.

Since 2022, DFDS has been continually expanded its electric semi truck fleet, operating dozens of the zero-emission tractors in countries like Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands. Once the 100-unit order with Volvo Trucks is fulfilled, DFDS will have almost doubled its electric fleet to 225 electric semis in total – giving it the logistics firm the largest fleet of electric semis in Europe.

“With our extensive experience in operating electric trucks across Europe, we’re ready to bring this expertise to the UK,” says Allan Bell, Vice President and Head of DFDS Logistics in UK & Ireland. “The interest from UK companies in more sustainable road transport solutions is substantial, and we have ambitions to scale up our low-emissions transport offerings in the future.”

DFDS has deployed 115 electric trucks to date, adding more than 1.2 million all-electric miles to Volvo Truck’s massive mileage tally the first half of 2024 alone. That feat, according to the company, saved more than 2,100 tonnes of harmful carbon emissions compared to a conventionally-powered diesel ICE fleet.

DFDS’ Volvo launch party

The latest version of Volvo Trucks’ FH Electric semi offers customers up to 600 km (nearly 375 miles) of all-electric range, nearly twice as much as the previous version, thanks to Volvo’s new, compact, e-axle packaging.

That additional range is both another nail in diesel’s coffin and a game-changer for companies like DFDS, but more work is still needed. “There are still challenges ahead and we need to work together across sectors to be successful, for example in setting up charging infrastructure,” Bell adds. “DFDS is committed to do whatever we can to push the development forward.”

SOURCE | IMAGES: Volvo Trucks; DFDS, via LinkedIn.