Sweden's Volvo to make heavy EVs in Queensland as Brisbane shifts to electric truck production
Nearly a decade after the final Australian-made car rolled off the production line, the nation's vehicle manufacturing industry is sparking back to life — this time, powered by electricity.
Swedish truck giant Volvo has announced it will begin building electric heavy vehicles at its Wacol facility in Brisbane next year, marking a major turning point for Queensland 's industrial future.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Volvo bring truck production back to Brisbane.
The move comes after a landmark deal with logistics giant Linfox, which has ordered 30 electric trucks for tens of millions of dollars.
It's the biggest order of its kind in Australia and is set to power the company's supermarket deliveries.
'We have an endeavour to get to a place where we have vehicles that are completely zero emission and this is the start of it,' Linfox executive chairman Peter Fox said.
While the trucks are currently imported from Sweden, the company behind the seat belts we wear today will soon be shifting production locally — a significant win for Queensland's economy and Australia's push towards greener transport.
Volvo says the Wacol site, which has produced over 3000 trucks a year since 1972, is ready for the transition to start production next year.
'We can learn from Sweden and implement that here in Wacol next year,' President and CEO of Volvo Group Australia, Martin Merrick, said.
Drivers are already backing the shift.
'The drivers absolutely love them. They're fighting over who gets the access to driving the electric vehicles,' Fox said.
With a range of up to 250 kilometres per charge, these quiet haulers are set to cut emissions, but challenges remain.
There are only a few hundred electric heavy vehicles in the country, compared to over 160,000 electric cars.
The Australian Trucking Association is urging governments to step up.
'We do know we're one of the larger emitters probably in the top three so we to do what we can do,' said CEO Mathew Munro.
'We need more infrastructure in convenient locations.'
The push includes better charging access and financial incentives to help businesses switch gears faster.
'It's fantastic; it's Australian-made and green and yellow,' said Fox, referencing the Australian Made logo, symbolising local manufacturing and the environmental benefits of electric vehicles.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on how he will handle meeting Donald Trump
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a show of strength ahead of his possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump next week, vowing to stand up for Australia's interests and hold the line on defence, trade and social media regulation. In his first major speech after being re-elected with an enlarged majority, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club on Tuesday that he would lead the nation to "compete and succeed in the world ... Our own way, on our terms, in our interests". "On things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table," Mr Albanese said in response to a question about this approach to trade negotiations with Mr Trump. "But are there areas in which Australia and the United States can have win-wins? Yes, I believe that there are, and I will engage in those discussions respectfully." The Trump administration has called for Australia to lift defence spending and complained about strict biosecurity rules that block some beef from being imported from the US, as well as the low prices paid for US-made medicines on the PBS. Mr Trump is yet to give any exemptions to sweeping US tariffs that have hit major Australian exports like beef, steel and aluminium, despite having told the Prime Minister this was "under consideration" in February. Mr Albanese told the National Press Club that his government would not "imitate low-wage economies" or trade away "the things that make us the best country on earth". The Prime Minister will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit alongside Mr Trump in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17, creating an opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with the President, although no plans have been confirmed. Asked if he would be prepared to walk away from such a meeting without a deal "if the Americans don't offer a good one", Mr Albanese said he did not want to pre-empt any conversation with the President. "I want people to be able to have a mature discussion ... without screaming headlines," he said. "On any arrangements, as we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest." Mr Albanese also received what he described as a "very warm" congratulatory phone call from the President after being re-elected with an enlarged majority on May 3. In his post-election National Press Club address, he said Australians had "voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character". "They rejected policies copied from overseas that would only leave us a smaller, narrower, less generous and more divided country," he said. When asked about slow progress on the government's promised News Media Bargaining Incentive - which would impose a levy on social media companies like Meta that refuse to pay for news content on their platforms - Mr Albanese said it was "not on the table" in tariff negotiations, along with the promised under-16s social media ban. "We respect the role of, particularly, local papers," he said. "As a local here in Canberra, it plays a vital role and it is of critical importance that those media organisations are able to survive." The government is yet to release a promised discussion paper, a necessary step before introducing legislation to implement the levy, announced in December. When asked if refusing to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, as requested by the US administration, would imperil the AUKUS submarine deal, Mr Albanese said: "Australia should decide what we spend on Australia's defence. Simple as that." "We will always provide for capability that's needed," the Prime Minister said, leaving the door open to higher defence spending if needed to achieve this, while saying "arbitrary figures ... lead to a cul-de-sac". The Coalition went to the election with a pledge to lift Defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within five years and 3 per cent within a decade and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Angus Taylor last week called on the Albanese government to commit to "at least" 3 per cent. After revealing that he had spoken with Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot by police in Los Angeles on Monday while covering the protests against immigration raids for 9News, Mr Albanese said his government had raised the incident with the Trump administration. "We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," he said. "She was clearly identified [as] a journalist ... People should respect the role that the media play in our modern society." Asked if he would raise the issue with Mr Trump in person, Mr Albanese said he would not foreshadow "discussions between myself and the President". "That's the way I deal with people - diplomatically, appropriately and with respect," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a show of strength ahead of his possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump next week, vowing to stand up for Australia's interests and hold the line on defence, trade and social media regulation. In his first major speech after being re-elected with an enlarged majority, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club on Tuesday that he would lead the nation to "compete and succeed in the world ... Our own way, on our terms, in our interests". "On things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table," Mr Albanese said in response to a question about this approach to trade negotiations with Mr Trump. "But are there areas in which Australia and the United States can have win-wins? Yes, I believe that there are, and I will engage in those discussions respectfully." The Trump administration has called for Australia to lift defence spending and complained about strict biosecurity rules that block some beef from being imported from the US, as well as the low prices paid for US-made medicines on the PBS. Mr Trump is yet to give any exemptions to sweeping US tariffs that have hit major Australian exports like beef, steel and aluminium, despite having told the Prime Minister this was "under consideration" in February. Mr Albanese told the National Press Club that his government would not "imitate low-wage economies" or trade away "the things that make us the best country on earth". The Prime Minister will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit alongside Mr Trump in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17, creating an opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with the President, although no plans have been confirmed. Asked if he would be prepared to walk away from such a meeting without a deal "if the Americans don't offer a good one", Mr Albanese said he did not want to pre-empt any conversation with the President. "I want people to be able to have a mature discussion ... without screaming headlines," he said. "On any arrangements, as we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest." Mr Albanese also received what he described as a "very warm" congratulatory phone call from the President after being re-elected with an enlarged majority on May 3. In his post-election National Press Club address, he said Australians had "voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character". "They rejected policies copied from overseas that would only leave us a smaller, narrower, less generous and more divided country," he said. When asked about slow progress on the government's promised News Media Bargaining Incentive - which would impose a levy on social media companies like Meta that refuse to pay for news content on their platforms - Mr Albanese said it was "not on the table" in tariff negotiations, along with the promised under-16s social media ban. "We respect the role of, particularly, local papers," he said. "As a local here in Canberra, it plays a vital role and it is of critical importance that those media organisations are able to survive." The government is yet to release a promised discussion paper, a necessary step before introducing legislation to implement the levy, announced in December. When asked if refusing to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, as requested by the US administration, would imperil the AUKUS submarine deal, Mr Albanese said: "Australia should decide what we spend on Australia's defence. Simple as that." "We will always provide for capability that's needed," the Prime Minister said, leaving the door open to higher defence spending if needed to achieve this, while saying "arbitrary figures ... lead to a cul-de-sac". The Coalition went to the election with a pledge to lift Defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within five years and 3 per cent within a decade and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Angus Taylor last week called on the Albanese government to commit to "at least" 3 per cent. After revealing that he had spoken with Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot by police in Los Angeles on Monday while covering the protests against immigration raids for 9News, Mr Albanese said his government had raised the incident with the Trump administration. "We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," he said. "She was clearly identified [as] a journalist ... People should respect the role that the media play in our modern society." Asked if he would raise the issue with Mr Trump in person, Mr Albanese said he would not foreshadow "discussions between myself and the President". "That's the way I deal with people - diplomatically, appropriately and with respect," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a show of strength ahead of his possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump next week, vowing to stand up for Australia's interests and hold the line on defence, trade and social media regulation. In his first major speech after being re-elected with an enlarged majority, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club on Tuesday that he would lead the nation to "compete and succeed in the world ... Our own way, on our terms, in our interests". "On things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table," Mr Albanese said in response to a question about this approach to trade negotiations with Mr Trump. "But are there areas in which Australia and the United States can have win-wins? Yes, I believe that there are, and I will engage in those discussions respectfully." The Trump administration has called for Australia to lift defence spending and complained about strict biosecurity rules that block some beef from being imported from the US, as well as the low prices paid for US-made medicines on the PBS. Mr Trump is yet to give any exemptions to sweeping US tariffs that have hit major Australian exports like beef, steel and aluminium, despite having told the Prime Minister this was "under consideration" in February. Mr Albanese told the National Press Club that his government would not "imitate low-wage economies" or trade away "the things that make us the best country on earth". The Prime Minister will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit alongside Mr Trump in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17, creating an opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with the President, although no plans have been confirmed. Asked if he would be prepared to walk away from such a meeting without a deal "if the Americans don't offer a good one", Mr Albanese said he did not want to pre-empt any conversation with the President. "I want people to be able to have a mature discussion ... without screaming headlines," he said. "On any arrangements, as we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest." Mr Albanese also received what he described as a "very warm" congratulatory phone call from the President after being re-elected with an enlarged majority on May 3. In his post-election National Press Club address, he said Australians had "voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character". "They rejected policies copied from overseas that would only leave us a smaller, narrower, less generous and more divided country," he said. When asked about slow progress on the government's promised News Media Bargaining Incentive - which would impose a levy on social media companies like Meta that refuse to pay for news content on their platforms - Mr Albanese said it was "not on the table" in tariff negotiations, along with the promised under-16s social media ban. "We respect the role of, particularly, local papers," he said. "As a local here in Canberra, it plays a vital role and it is of critical importance that those media organisations are able to survive." The government is yet to release a promised discussion paper, a necessary step before introducing legislation to implement the levy, announced in December. When asked if refusing to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, as requested by the US administration, would imperil the AUKUS submarine deal, Mr Albanese said: "Australia should decide what we spend on Australia's defence. Simple as that." "We will always provide for capability that's needed," the Prime Minister said, leaving the door open to higher defence spending if needed to achieve this, while saying "arbitrary figures ... lead to a cul-de-sac". The Coalition went to the election with a pledge to lift Defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within five years and 3 per cent within a decade and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Angus Taylor last week called on the Albanese government to commit to "at least" 3 per cent. After revealing that he had spoken with Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot by police in Los Angeles on Monday while covering the protests against immigration raids for 9News, Mr Albanese said his government had raised the incident with the Trump administration. "We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," he said. "She was clearly identified [as] a journalist ... People should respect the role that the media play in our modern society." Asked if he would raise the issue with Mr Trump in person, Mr Albanese said he would not foreshadow "discussions between myself and the President". "That's the way I deal with people - diplomatically, appropriately and with respect," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a show of strength ahead of his possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump next week, vowing to stand up for Australia's interests and hold the line on defence, trade and social media regulation. In his first major speech after being re-elected with an enlarged majority, Mr Albanese told the National Press Club on Tuesday that he would lead the nation to "compete and succeed in the world ... Our own way, on our terms, in our interests". "On things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table," Mr Albanese said in response to a question about this approach to trade negotiations with Mr Trump. "But are there areas in which Australia and the United States can have win-wins? Yes, I believe that there are, and I will engage in those discussions respectfully." The Trump administration has called for Australia to lift defence spending and complained about strict biosecurity rules that block some beef from being imported from the US, as well as the low prices paid for US-made medicines on the PBS. Mr Trump is yet to give any exemptions to sweeping US tariffs that have hit major Australian exports like beef, steel and aluminium, despite having told the Prime Minister this was "under consideration" in February. Mr Albanese told the National Press Club that his government would not "imitate low-wage economies" or trade away "the things that make us the best country on earth". The Prime Minister will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit alongside Mr Trump in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17, creating an opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with the President, although no plans have been confirmed. Asked if he would be prepared to walk away from such a meeting without a deal "if the Americans don't offer a good one", Mr Albanese said he did not want to pre-empt any conversation with the President. "I want people to be able to have a mature discussion ... without screaming headlines," he said. "On any arrangements, as we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest." Mr Albanese also received what he described as a "very warm" congratulatory phone call from the President after being re-elected with an enlarged majority on May 3. In his post-election National Press Club address, he said Australians had "voted against importing conflicts and ideologies that have no basis in our national culture or character". "They rejected policies copied from overseas that would only leave us a smaller, narrower, less generous and more divided country," he said. When asked about slow progress on the government's promised News Media Bargaining Incentive - which would impose a levy on social media companies like Meta that refuse to pay for news content on their platforms - Mr Albanese said it was "not on the table" in tariff negotiations, along with the promised under-16s social media ban. "We respect the role of, particularly, local papers," he said. "As a local here in Canberra, it plays a vital role and it is of critical importance that those media organisations are able to survive." The government is yet to release a promised discussion paper, a necessary step before introducing legislation to implement the levy, announced in December. When asked if refusing to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP, as requested by the US administration, would imperil the AUKUS submarine deal, Mr Albanese said: "Australia should decide what we spend on Australia's defence. Simple as that." "We will always provide for capability that's needed," the Prime Minister said, leaving the door open to higher defence spending if needed to achieve this, while saying "arbitrary figures ... lead to a cul-de-sac". The Coalition went to the election with a pledge to lift Defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within five years and 3 per cent within a decade and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Angus Taylor last week called on the Albanese government to commit to "at least" 3 per cent. After revealing that he had spoken with Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot by police in Los Angeles on Monday while covering the protests against immigration raids for 9News, Mr Albanese said his government had raised the incident with the Trump administration. "We don't find it acceptable that it occurred. And we think the role of the media is particularly important," he said. "She was clearly identified [as] a journalist ... People should respect the role that the media play in our modern society." Asked if he would raise the issue with Mr Trump in person, Mr Albanese said he would not foreshadow "discussions between myself and the President". "That's the way I deal with people - diplomatically, appropriately and with respect," he said.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
First look inside new Sydney airport
Construction at the new Western Sydney International Airport has finished. Images of the government-owned airport, with just a few travellers wandering through, were released on Wednesday. Anthony Albanese is scheduled to cut the ribbon today, ahead of trial flights in the coming months and the $5.3bn airport becoming fully operational in late-2026. The $5.3bn project is on time and on budget. WSIA Credit: Supplied The terminal ceiling is reminiscent of a traditional Australian veranda. WSIA Credit: Supplied Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied State-owned Western Sydney International released dozens of photos of the new terminal, with sunlight pouring through the two-storey windows facing the runway. The terminal entrance has been designed to look like a grand 'Australian veranda'. Much of the airport has been designed to be 'Instagramable' and the operator is spruiking its art gallery aesthetic. About 5km of conveyor belts can sort and distribute up to 2000 bags per hour. The airport has sandstone feature walls. WSIA Credit: Supplied The project has created 12,000 jobs and benefited 360 Western Sydney businesses. WSIA Credit: Supplied Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied On the roof, nearly 9000 solar panels will help power the 1700 hectare site, which is twice the size of Sydney's other international airport. All the buildings travellers will see have been finished. Construction work on the cargo area and a fire station are ongoing. Qantas, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines have committed to using the airport. Western Sydney chief executive Simon Hickey told The Australian he was hopeful Virgin Australia would soon sign as well. Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied The nearest suburb is 10km from the end of the runway. WSIA Credit: Supplied The airport is projected to serve 23,000 passengers and 800t of cargo a day by 2030. WSIA Credit: Supplied Sydney's Kingsford airport has curfew hours barring planes over the high density area and Western Sydney's 24-hour window is a key selling point to the airlines. In 2026, five million passengers are expected through the airport. By 2031, operators aim to accommodate 10 million passengers per year. Long-term targets have 82 million people travelling through the airport each year by 2063. 'This project is on time and on budget and gearing up to open in 2026,' federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said on Tuesday.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
First pictures reveal what Western Sydney International Airport will look like
Construction at the new Western Sydney International Airport has finished. Images of the government-owned airport, with just a few travellers wandering through, were released on Wednesday. Anthony Albanese is scheduled to cut the ribbon today, ahead of trial flights in the coming months and the $5.3bn airport becoming fully operational in late-2026. State-owned Western Sydney International released dozens of photos of the new terminal, with sunlight pouring through the two-storey windows facing the runway. The terminal entrance has been designed to look like a grand 'Australian veranda'. Much of the airport has been designed to be 'Instagramable' and the operator is spruiking its art gallery aesthetic. About 5km of conveyor belts can sort and distribute up to 2000 bags per hour. On the roof, nearly 9000 solar panels will help power the 1700 hectare site, which is twice the size of Sydney's other international airport. All the buildings travellers will see have been finished. Construction work on the cargo area and a fire station are ongoing. Qantas, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines have committed to using the airport. Western Sydney chief executive Simon Hickey told The Australian he was hopeful Virgin Australia would soon sign as well. Sydney's Kingsford airport has curfew hours barring planes over the high density area and Western Sydney's 24-hour window is a key selling point to the airlines. In 2026, five million passengers are expected through the airport. By 2031, operators aim to accommodate 10 million passengers per year. Long-term targets have 82 million people travelling through the airport each year by 2063. 'This project is on time and on budget and gearing up to open in 2026,' federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said on Tuesday.
