Taiwan Cement Corp (TCC) will bring Taiwan Transport and Storage Corp's (TTSC) first electric tractor units into operation to transport cement – the first company in the country to use electric vehicles to transport building materials, reports the Taipei Times.

TTSC unveiled its first electric tractor unit manufactured by Volvo Trucks in a ceremony in Taipei on 18 April. The company's chairman, Koo Kung-yi, said about 12 per cent of carbon emissions in Taiwan come from the transportation sector with large trucks and tractors playing a significant role. The tractor unit would be employed to transport cement and related products, which would reduce aggregate carbon emissions by 32 per cent.

The 43t electric tractor has a cruising range of up to 300km, with a battery capacity of up to 540kWh, depending on the number of batteries installed. It could be equipped with up to three electric motors and a 12-speed electric drive transmission gear box. The maximum output is 666hp, according to Volvo Trucks.