15 April 2025:

New Zealand’s first two new Volvo FM Electric 6×4 trucks have been unveiled.

A collaboration between Fulton Hogan, Volvo Trucks NZ, EECA and Transport Trailers Ltd, they will each carry up to 16,000kg of aggregate and asphalt in Auckland, based out of Stevenson’s Drury Quarry.

Fulton Hogan NZ Chief Executive, Ben Hayward (pictured), calls it “another learning step on the path to low emissions across the supply chain”.

“To date, our emissions reductions have been mainly in extraction and manufacturing, like electrifying quarry processing and lower energy asphalt production,” Ben says.

“Today’s development begins to address the road transport part of the supply chain, as well.”

EECA’s Auckland Regional Manager, Aden Jones, says such initiatives by market leaders like Fulton Hogan provide market confidence in the technology and can accelerate uptake.

“If we can help get enough in the market they will demonstrate their value and market demand should do the rest.”

Volvo Trucks NZ General Manager, Scott Holt, says Fulton Hogan’s experience will be invaluable for the wider industry.

“For New Zealand to move to low carbon fleets, we need leaders like Fulton Hogan to show the way and we are delighted to see this starting to happen.”

The 450 kWh vehicles should reduce emissions by a combined total (both trucks) of approximately 150 tonnes CO2e annually, compared with diesel powered trucks, travelling 60,000km per year.

They also have a strong safety focus. Hamilton’s Transport Trailers Ltd designed and built the trailers to eject their loads horizontally, eliminating tip-over risk and overhead utility strikes and allowing the operator to manage all functions remotely.

“We’re witnessing something pretty special,” Ben Hayward says. “At the front is the best of global battery-powered technology and at the back is the best of local engineering.”