The Volvo FH Electric has been crowned International Truck of the Year (IToY) 2024.
This is the first time that a zero-tailpipe-emission truck has won the coveted title in the award’s 47-year history.
Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks, was presented with the trophy during the press day of Solutrans, the biennial trade fair for haulage and urban transport professionals, in Lyon, France.
With a winning score of 84 votes, the FH Electric fought off stiff competition from the Mercedes-Benz eActros 300/400, and the Scania's 45S battery electric truck. The other electric contender was the FUSO eCanter, while the only diesel-powered candidate was the DAF XDC/XFC construction range.
The IToY journalists praised the Volvo’s performance, the seamless acceleration, the quietness, and the vibration-free behaviour of the highly efficient electric powertrain, which is based on two or three electric machines of 330kW or 490kW continuous power, coupled with the latest generation I-Shift gearbox. Equally crucial in its success was the vast aray of axle configurations for tractors and rigids, the availability of four cab versions, and the modular portfolio of battery packs - from two to six - according to customer requirements.
Speaking at the gala event, IToY chairman Gianenrico Griffini declared: "With the introduction of the FH Electric, Volvo Trucks has delivered a state-of-the-art BEV range, suitable for a wide array of transport operations. It's proof that energy transition is gaining strength even in today's challenging business environment.”
UK IToY judge and Commercial Motor editor Will Shiers, added: “It was only a matter of time until a battery-powered truck was awarded the title. While electric trucks certainly aren’t suitable for all hauliers, those early adopters are fast discovering that the FH Electric is a well-engineered, clever bit of kit. I have spent a lot of time behind the wheel of one, and it’s clear that Volvo has done far more than simply electrifying a diesel truck.”
Based on the International Truck of the Year (IToY) rules, the annual award goes to the truck introduced into the market in the previous 12 months, making the most significant contribution to road transport efficiency. This judgment relies on several critical criteria, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, energy efficiency, environmental footprint, and total cost of ownership.
The IToY jury consists of 24 commercial vehicle editors and senior journalists representing 24 major trucking magazines throughout Europe.
