South Africa’s journey towards cleaner road freight has reached an important milestone, with Volvo Trucks South Africa announcing that its fleet of battery electric trucks has now travelled more than 250,000 kilometres in commercial service since being introduced locally in 2023.
While electric trucks are still a relatively new sight on South African roads, the latest figures suggest they are moving beyond pilot projects and becoming a practical solution for specific freight operations.
The achievement is particularly significant because it has been recorded under real South African operating conditions, giving transport companies valuable data on how battery-electric trucks perform in day-to-day commercial use.
Electric trucks finding their place in South African transport
Unlike Europe, where electric trucks are increasingly entering long-haul operations, South Africa’s electric fleet is currently focused on urban and regional distribution routes.
According to Volvo Trucks South Africa, the vehicles are operating across a variety of applications, from 8-tonne distribution trucks carrying payloads between five and seven tonnes to 6×4 tractor units pulling interlink trailers with payloads exceeding 32 tonnes.
Collectively, the fleet averages around 2,000 kilometres per vehicle each month, while the busiest trucks consistently cover approximately 10,000 kilometres monthly.
Average energy consumption across all applications currently stands at 1.77kWh/km.
Although these figures are modest compared to the more than 400 million kilometres accumulated by Volvo electric trucks globally, they represent one of South Africa’s largest real-world electric truck deployments to date.
Building confidence through real-world experience
For fleet operators considering electric vehicles, the biggest value may not be the distance travelled but the operational lessons learned.
The trucks have provided valuable insight into:
- Charging strategies
- Vehicle utilisation
- Driver experience
- Battery performance
- Fleet uptime
- Route planning
Every customer currently charges their vehicles at depots or loading facilities using privately owned charging infrastructure, combining overnight AC charging with fast charging where operationally required.
Eric Parry, Senior Manager: Sustainable Solutions at Volvo Trucks South Africa, says customer confidence has been one of the biggest successes of the programme.
“Our customers have embraced this technology with a willingness to learn, adapt and pioneer new ways of operating. Reaching a quarter of a million kilometres is not only a testament to the capability of the trucks, but also to the commitment of the customers and drivers who are making this achievement possible.”
Electric trucks are not replacing diesel — yet
Despite the milestone, Volvo acknowledges that battery-electric trucks are currently best suited to predictable urban and regional distribution routes.
Long-distance freight remains a more complex challenge due to charging infrastructure, route planning and vehicle range requirements.
However, the experience gained over the past two years is helping build the business case for wider adoption as technology continues to improve.
Volvo also supports customers through specialised dealer networks, real-time battery monitoring, 24-hour roadside assistance and range prediction tools to maximise vehicle availability.
Next-generation electric trucks coming to South Africa
Volvo says the next phase of its local electromobility strategy will begin later this year with the introduction of a new generation of battery-electric trucks offering increased operating range and more power options.
Parry believes the current fleet is laying the foundation for future growth.
“One of the most satisfying aspects of this journey has been seeing electric trucks move from being a future concept to becoming part of everyday transport operations. Every kilometre travelled helps build confidence in the technology and strengthens the business case for broader adoption.”
What this means for South Africa’s freight industry
The quarter-million-kilometre milestone is about far more than a number on an odometer.
South Africa’s freight industry has long questioned whether battery-electric trucks can handle local operating conditions, heavy payloads and demanding commercial schedules. While diesel-powered trucks will remain the backbone of long-haul transport for the foreseeable future, Volvo’s experience suggests electric trucks already have a viable role in urban and regional distribution.
As charging infrastructure expands and battery technology improves, today’s early adopters are helping shape the future of freight transport in South Africa.
For fleet operators, the question is no longer whether electric trucks can work locally—but where they make the most business sense.
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