Trucks
“Ultimately, our customers want to be able to integrate electric trucks smoothly into their fleets, and that’s what our experience delivers.”
Magnus Kjell, manager service and technical support at Volvo Trucks Sweden, has been working on electric Volvo Trucks since the first one was launched in 2019, and he’s witnessed an incredible journey of learning and experience since then.
“Being first on the market with electric trucks was both a blessing and a challenge”, he adds. “We learned a lot – sometimes the hard way – but that experience is what sets us apart today.”
Seven years on from those first trucks, that support has evolved into a competitive advantage for Volvo customers, with a network built on data, dependability and experience in real-world electric transport.
The advantage of being a first mover
Volvo’s electric story began earlier than most realize. While some competitors were still in development, by 2019 Volvo already had production versions of the FL Electric and FE Electric on the road in some European markets. This soon expanded to a range of six electric models in production – and operation – globally.
Those first customers were understanding but demanding. When something went wrong, there were no precedents to follow, only lessons to be learned.
“Our first customers were very patient with us,” says Magnus. “But being first also had its cost. If something went wrong, it was visible. Yet fixing those early problems gave us a huge lead.”
One memorable example for Magnus involved an early electric concrete mixer. When technical issues caused it to stop mid-delivery with a full load of concrete in the drum, Magnus and his team had to act fast. It was a moment of pressure, but also of progress.
“We had to figure out solutions in real time,” he adds. “Those experiences made us better, faster and more prepared for the next customer.
From early lessons to electric leadership
Magnus was initially the only person dedicated to electromobility support in the Swedish market technical support team, but what began as a one-man task has grown into a fully integrated national support structure.
“Today, everyone supports electromobility,” he says. “We treat electric trucks the same way as diesel with the same systems, tools and processes.”
Key to that transformation has been the evolution of Volvo’s digital support ecosystem. Tools now allow customer service representatives and technicians to see fault codes remotely and identify whether an issue lies in the charger or the truck itself.
“A few years ago, we had to investigate the truck in the workshop to find out what was wrong with a charger. Now we can see if the charger is the problem and send an electrician instead. That saves time for everyone,” adds Magnus.
Today, this connected infrastructure helps technicians across Sweden provide faster, more accurate support, ensuring that customers spend less time waiting and more time delivering.
Several digital services designed for electric trucks have been added to the customer portal Volvo Connect to support everyday productivity, including charging management and route optimization.
The power of predictive problem solving
The evolution of Volvo’s electric support means it isn’t reactive, it’s now predictive. Advanced monitoring systems and artificial intelligence help fleets identify potential issues before they cause downtime.
“We’ve started using advanced monitoring and AI to predict when batteries need replacement,” says Magnus. “That’s handled by our technical support team in Ghent, Belgium. It’s about staying one step ahead.”
It’s another example of how Volvo’s years of experience have evolved into technical maturity. Every lesson learned and every truck monitored feeds a smarter, more proactive support system that continues to improve with every kilometer.
Support that builds confidence
For electric customers, uptime is everything. Many operate under contracts where they must use an electric truck, sometimes even tied to a specific license plate. If the truck isn’t running, neither is the business.
“One customer, for example, delivers food at night in Stockholm,” adds Magnus. “If their electric truck is in the workshop, they can’t just swap it, it’s tied to that license plate. So uptime is absolutely critical.”
Volvo’s answer is uptime commitments in Sweden, applied equally to diesel and electric trucks. “That’s a strong promise,” he says. “And we compensate the customer for every day their truck is at standstill.”
That consistency helps customers trust that going electric won’t mean compromising productivity. For many, it has done the opposite, improving efficiency, comfort and sustainability all at once.
Every improvement comes from real-world use.
On-site Driver Training
While systems and technology form the backbone of support, Magnus is quick to point out that electric success starts with people, both technicians and drivers.
“Drivers love the electric trucks,” says Magnus. “Once they’ve tried them, they don’t want to go back. They are quieter, smoother and more comfortable.”
From on-site Driver Training to eco-driving education, Volvo ensures that operators know how to get the most from their electric trucks. Even small details, such as cabin heating in the Nordic winter, have been refined over years of feedback.
“Keeping the cab warm without wasting energy was one of our early challenges,” he adds. “We’re solving that. Every improvement comes from real-world use.”
The advantage of experience
Six years may not sound long but in the fast-moving world of electric transportation, it’s a lifetime of learning. For Volvo Trucks, that learning has built the foundation of a support ecosystem that customers can truly depend on.
“We’ve learned from every challenge,” says Magnus. “We know what works, and we’ve built the systems, tools and competence to support customers better than anyone else. Electric is not new to us anymore. It’s part of our everyday business.”
With real trucks, real customers and real challenges – and millions of kilometers of real-world testing – Volvo support for electric mobility isn’t an experiment. It’s an experience that’s been refined, proven and ready for what’s next.
Find out more about Volvo’s electric truck range here.