Unicon, a producer and supplier of ready-mixed concrete in Denmark, operates a fleet of 195 trucks, and is beginning to explore the possibility of electrification. The company tested a Volvo FE Electric truck, and now plans to order 11 Volvo FM Electric models, which will be converted to cement mixers. Deliveries are to start by the end of the year. In the future, Unicon and Volvo Trucks plan to work together to develop truck and body electric solutions for the concrete industry.

Like many companies, Unicon has announced some very timid targets for electrification—the company says it wants to make its fleet of truck mixers emission-free in 2035. However, it appears that government regulations may be forcing its hand. “With the new electric truck mixers, we are ready to support the requirements for emission-free construction sites in Denmark, which we see from the City of Copenhagen, as well as an increasing number of contractors and builders,” said Unicon Supply Chain and Procurement Director Christian Elleby.

According to Peter Ericson, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks in Denmark, heavy vehicles for the concrete industry are among the most difficult to electrify. “With these agreements, we are taking important steps in expanding fossil-free distribution solutions to the concrete industry, where electrification of heavy vehicles has been a very difficult challenge due to the heavy loads and continuous mixing demands,” said he. “We expect a lot of learning and development as a result of [this] collaboration for the benefit of an entire industry.”

Source: Volvo Trucks