Volvo And DSV Deliver First 8-ton Electric Truck In South Africa

By Jony Shekhawat | Published Date : December 10, 2025

First electric truck marks a clean and modern shift in logistics transport.

Global logistics company DSV has started running its first 8-ton electric truck in South Africa with help from Volvo Trucks. This move shows that the company is slowly shifting its truck fleet toward cleaner, quieter and low-emission transport for everyday work. After successful testing, three more electric truck units will be added to the Air & Sea operations of the company.

New Electric Trucks Enter Daily Operations

Table Of Contents

1. New Electric Trucks Enter Daily Operations

2. Strong Performance in Real Road Trials

3. Solar and Battery Systems Support Electric fleet

4. More Electric Trucks Coming Soon

5. Global Push for Clean Truck Transport

Read More: VECV Reports Strong Sales Jump in November 2025

Before this launch, DSV had already started using an electric van and a 4-ton electric truck almost three years ago. Now, with the new 8-ton truck, around 15 percent of its fleet in South Africa has become fully electric. Soon, three more units of this 8-ton electric truck will join the fleet.

These vehicles are being used mainly for air and sea cargo movement, where clean and quiet truck operations are very useful.

Strong Performance in Real Road Trials

During road testing, the 8-ton truck worked well in real driving conditions. It used just over 1 kWh of power per kilometre and could run up to about 230 kilometres on a single full charge. This makes it a good option not just for long work but also for light commercial truck duties inside city and port areas.

The company also installed solar power systems and battery storage units at major sites to charge these trucks using clean energy.

Solar and Battery Systems Support Electric fleet

To support the growing electric truck fleet, DSV set up large solar panels and Battery Energy Storage Systems at its key South African locations. These systems help in storing power and charging the trucks even when sunlight is not available.

This makes the daily operation of both 4-wheeler truck and 6-wheeler truck models more stable and cost-effective.

More Electric Trucks Coming Soon

DSV is getting ready to grow its electric truck program even more. By the end of 2025, five Volvo electric tractor trucks will become part of its fleet and one more electric truck is expected to join in January 2026.

The company shared that electric truck technology works very well in volume-based transport, where the focus is more on space than heavy weight.

Global Push for Clean Truck Transport

The South Africa project also connects with DSV’s global plan. In 2024, the company signed a deal with Volvo Trucks to buy 300 electric trucks in Europe. With this, the global electric truck fleet of DSV is expected to reach around 500 vehicles.

Company leaders said this move is not only about saving fuel but also about giving customers cleaner, quieter, and more reliable truck services for the future.

Also Read: FADA Introduces 3-Wheeler November 2025 Sales Report

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Frequently Asked Questions on Electric Trucks

Q1. What is an electric truck?

Ans. An electric truck is a vehicle that runs on battery power instead of diesel or petrol, helping to reduce noise and air pollution.

Q2. How long does an electric truck battery last?

Ans. An electric truck battery can last several years depending on usage, driving habits, and charging practices.

Q3. Are electric trucks good for city transport?

Ans. Yes, electric trucks are very suitable for city transport because they produce zero exhaust smoke and run very quietly.

Q4. How is an electric truck charged?

Ans. An electric truck is charged using fast or normal charging stations that supply electricity to the vehicle’s battery.

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