The rumble of diesel engines at Volvo's Wacol plant near Brisbane may soon share space with something quieter: the hum of Australia's first electric heavy trucks rolling off an Australian assembly line.
Volvo Group Australia announced that the first battery-electric semi-trucks made in Australia by a major truck manufacturer have begun production at the facility where Volvo has built trucks for over 50 years. Linfox, one of Australia's largest logistics companies, has already ordered 30 of the new trucks, adding to their existing fleet of 2,500 diesel vehicles.
The federal government has invested AU$70 million to help bridge the cost gap between traditional diesel trucks and their electric equivalents, making projects like this more financially viable for companies making the switch.
The current trucks can travel about 300 kilometers on a single charge with a maximum weight capacity of 45 tonnes. While that rules out crossing the Nullarbor — Australia's vast, empty outback — it is plenty for city and metro deliveries. Even more impressive, Volvo has already launched a next-generation model in Europe with a 470-kilometer range and a capacity of 65 tonnes. The company plans to start building those newer models at Wacol within 18 months.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Wacol facility in July 2026 and called the milestone a sign of Australia's potential. "We have all the resources to be a clean energy superpower — under the ground and in the sky — and projects like this show just what's possible," he said. "Electric-made trucks built right here in Brisbane will keep Australia moving now and into the future."
Volvo did not originally expect to begin Australian manufacturing of electric trucks until 2027, so the announcement represents two years of ahead-of-schedule progress. The company says the Wacol plant could shift 30 percent of its production to electric trucks if demand grows.
Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks, said Australia is an important market and building trucks locally shows the company's long-term commitment. The battery cells come from Samsung, with packs assembled in Europe and components shipped from Sweden, though some parts like cab trim are supplied locally.
The launch drew leaders from across government and industry, including Australian Made Campaign CEO Ben Lazzaro and Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio, reflecting the broader significance of domestic electric vehicle manufacturing for Australia's industrial future.