Volvo Trucks New Zealand has been announced as an electric heavy vehicle supplier for vehicles approved for a 25% grant under the Government’s $27.5 million Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund.
Administered by Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, the LEHVF aims to offset barriers to purchase by funding up to 25% of the purchase price of a new low or zero-emissions heavy vehicle, or 25% of the cost to convert an existing diesel heavy vehicle to be powered by approved clean technologies, increasing the number of zero emissions heavy vehicles on New Zealand’s roads.
“As an approved supplier for the LEHVF, the range available from Volvo trucks offers real solutions for any organisation looking to include electric trucks in their fleet to meet sustainability goals and reduce overall operating costs,” said Rob Woods, general manager, Motor Truck Distributors (NZ) Ltd, the New Zealand distributor of Volvo Trucks.
“With a proven track record internationally, the Volvo Electric Truck range has been delivering class leading efficiency, performance and uptime across the world since its launch in 2019 and we are pleased to be able to offer these solutions from light truck through to the FH Heavy Electric, which was awarded International Truck of the Year in 2024 – the first electric truck with this prestigious title,” he said.
“Along with the advances in technology and a significant investment in development, Volvo Trucks is now able to offer the heavier FM and FH Electric rated to a 50 tonne GCM solution to suit the 50MAX HPMV B-train proforma, specific to New Zealand, but not seen in many other places around the world.”
Heavy vehicles make up less than 5% of New Zealand’s vehicle fleet, but account for roughly a quarter of all road transport emissions.
“Any change in the New Zealand park to zero emission vehicles will have a positive and lasting impact on sustainability and environmental responsibility for the whole of New Zealand and Volvo Trucks are proud to be a part of the total solution.,” said Woods.
According to EECA, today, the total cost of ownership (TCO) of some electric trucks have reached parity with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in certain applications. EV technologies and infrastructure are rapidly advancing, becoming increasingly more cost-effective and accessible.
“The Government has identified that transport accounts for 18 per cent of New Zealand’s total emissions, which is why they are focused on removing barriers to accelerate the decisions organisations are making to switch to lower-emission technologies with part-funded programs like LEHVF.”
