After gaining good experience with the world's first serial produced electric truck mixer, Unicon is now taking the next big step towards emission-free distribution by introducing a new generation of electric truck mixers with longer range and higher payload. Therefore, Unicon intends to place the country's largest private single order to date for electric trucks, which will be converted to truck mixers and operate in Denmark.

In addition, Unicon and Volvo Trucks have entered into a long-term collaboration to implement and optimize electric solutions for the concrete industry. The collaboration aims to give Unicon the opportunity to put electric truck mixers into operation that match all needs in connection with efficient and sustainable distribution of ready-mixed concrete.

"With this major order and ambitious collaboration agreement, we are putting tangible actions behind our CO₂ emission targets for our distribution. This clearly underlines our role as a frontrunner for the construction industry in both Denmark and worldwide. We are very much looking forward to this collaboration with Volvo Trucks, which gives us unique opportunities to jointly develop the right complete truck and body electric solutions for our distribution,” explains Christian Elleby, Supply Chain & Procurement Director at Unicon.

Big challenge to electrify transports of concrete
The Danish record order for electric trucks is remarkable, because heavy vehicles for the concrete industry are among the most difficult to electrify. Therefore, according to Peter Ericson, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks in Denmark, this is a significant and forward-looking collaboration, which they expect a lot from:

"With these agreements, we are taking an important step 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. We are pleased to have Unicon on board as a strategic partner and we expect a lot of learning and development as a result of the collaboration for the benefit of an entire industry.”

Milestone towards an emission-free fleet
Unicon has defined a target to reduce CO2 emissions from its fleet by 30 percent in 2025 compared to 2019. Unicon at the same time has a clear strategy that its fleet of truck mixers must be emission-free in 2035.

Unicon believes that electric truck mixers offer the most obvious technology for achieving its ambitious sustainability goals. This applies both in relation to supporting emission-free distribution of ready-mixed concrete and for creating a better and even safer working environment on construction sites.

“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. We hope that our emission-free truck mixers will benefit both our customers and the cities we drive in” says Christian Elleby.

The first electric trucks of the model Volvo FM Electric will be delivered to Unicon in the fourth quarter of 2022.

About Volvo’s electric trucks FM Electric:

• Production start: Q4 2022
• Range: Up to 300 km
• Battery capacity: 180–540 kWh, 2-6 batteries
• Gross combination weight: Up to 44 tons
• Performance: Up to 330–490 kW (450–666 bhp)

About Volvo Trucks:
Volvo Trucks delivers complete transport solutions to professional and demanding customers. The company can supply a complete range of medium and heavy trucks through a strong dealer network with 2,300 service points in more than 130 countries. Volvo's trucks are produced at production facilities in 13 countries worldwide. In 2021 approximately 123,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world's leading suppliers of trucks, buses and construction machinery, as well as marine and industrial engines. The group also provides financing and service solutions. Volvo Trucks' work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care.

About Unicon A/S:
Unicon is Denmark's oldest and largest producer and supplier of ready-mixed concrete with 35 factories and more than 400 employees throughout the country. Ready-mixed concrete is a concrete that is specially produced at Unicon for the individual customer's construction project. The concrete is delivered in freshly mixed, malleable and uncured condition. Unicon produces about 1 million cubic meters of concrete annually and has an own fleet of 195 trucks. Unicon is part of the Aalborg Portland Group, which is owned by Cementir Holding.

For further information, please contact:
Christian Elleby
Supply Chain & Procurement Director, Unicon A/S
Tel. +45 26 88 49 78
Email:christian.elleby@unicon.dk