Volvo Trucks Ghent presents first Belgian-made e-truck
During the presentation, the first Volvo FH Electric, with a range of 300 kilometers with a full load of 44 tons, left the factory. The Flemish government strategically supports the production with about 470,000 euros. "This is a milestone for Flanders," said Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters. "The Ghent plant puts our region on the map in terms of electric truck production. This proofs my belief in the future of our mobility which will soon be fully zero-emission."
Confirmation of commitment to Ghent plant
"Volvo Trucks Ghent is the only truck assembly plant in Belgium and we proudly introduce the first electric truck produced in Belgium. This milestone and the upcoming investments in our plant are important for promoting sustainable transport solutions and confirm Volvo Group's commitment to the Ghent plant," said Koen Leemans, VP Volvo Group Truck Operations Ghent. According to Koen Leemans, the production of electric trucks and their batteries will create at least 100 additional jobs by 2025. This is the year that the truck maker will start producing battery modules. To store the additional parts for the electric trucks, a new logistics center will be built at the Oostakker site in 2024.
This first e-truck was built for logistics service provider Katoen Natie, which went on to sign a letter of intent to purchase 20 additional e-trucks.
Automotive as a spearhead
In the North Sea Port strategic plan automotive is one of seven spearhead sectors. On the industrial side, the assembly plants of Volvo Trucks and Volvo Cars in Ghent are the main companies in this segment. They provide significant flows of parts and finished products and a great deal of logistics activity, as well as more than ten thousand direct jobs and considerable added value. Added to this is indirect employment with suppliers and logistics service providers.
North Sea Port is an important European hub for other brands, including ro/ro lines connecting Ghent to Scandinavia and Flushing to the United Kingdom and important distribution activities for players including Honda.
