Circle Closes in Trollhättan: Former Saab Factory to Build JMV’s Electric Mining Pickup

A symbolic return to Saab’s birthplace

For Saab enthusiasts, Trollhättan is more than a dot on the map – it’s the place where Swedish engineering turned into automotive history. Now, a new chapter is about to unfold in those same factory halls. The German company Jakob Mining Vehicles (JMV), whose very first car sold back in 1979 was a Saab, is bringing production back to Stallbacka. The firm has chosen Trollhättan’s former Saab plant as the manufacturing site for its TerraCharge electric pickup truck, designed specifically for the mining industry. For those who have followed the ups and downs of the Trollhättan site, it feels like the circle has come full.

From car dealership to specialist manufacturer

JMV’s story began as a family-owned dealership in Fulda, Germany, over 40 years ago. Founder Benjamin Jakob and his team gradually moved from selling cars to converting them for highly specialized roles. Underground mining operators, disaster response teams, and even military contracts found their way to Fulda, where more than 1,800 conversions have been carried out to date. Jeep Wranglers, Dodge Rams, and even vehicles equipped with aerial work platforms or massive tanks have rolled out of JMV’s workshops, proving the firm’s adaptability and technical depth.

The birth of the Terracharge

The idea for a purpose-built electric pickup was born in 2019 at the Bauma trade fair, when mining operators asked whether an all-electric alternative to traditional combustion conversions was possible. At the time, no such vehicle existed. After failed attempts with other partners, Jakob turned to EDAG, one of Germany’s leading engineering service providers, to transform a concept into a working vehicle. The result is the JMV TerraCharge – a mining-focused electric pickup with all-wheel drive, over 200 kW of output, LFP battery technology, and the ability to fast charge to 80% in under an hour. The projected range of 250 km may not sound like headline-grabbing numbers for city commuters, but underground, where ventilation costs are a mine’s largest energy burden, every kilometer of clean driving counts.

Trollhättan takes the wheel

The decisive move came when JMV partnered with T-Engineering, based in Trollhättan. This Swedish firm, staffed by former Saab engineers, has deep expertise in EV systems – from calibration to control software. Production of the TerraCharge will be located in part of the former Saab factory at Stallbacka, with an annual target of 750 units. For Trollhättan, the news means jobs, investment, and a continuation of vehicle production in a town still proud of its Saab heritage.

Klas Lundgren, CEO of T-Engineering, emphasized the importance of the project:

“We’re excited about building electric vehicles in Trollhättan. This project means expanding our production capacity and leveraging our deep expertise in EV controls, calibration, and electrical systems.”

Voices from both sides

JMV’s sales chief Will Wright highlighted why Trollhättan was the natural choice:
– “Mining vehicles are very different from standard cars. They require unique design and strict safety requirements for underground work. Trollhättan has the knowledge and resources we need. For us, it was the right decision not to go to Asia but to keep production in Europe, close to our customers.”

Founder Benjamin Jakob added:
– “The TerraCharge is a bold step forward in our mission to decarbonize mining. By partnering with EDAG and T-Engineering, we are bringing together the best of German engineering and Swedish manufacturing.”

Specifications and certification

While full technical specifications remain under wraps, JMV has confirmed several key points:

• All-wheel drive
• Output exceeding 200 kW
• Range around 250 km
• LFP battery system with fast charging under one hour
• Payload of 1,050 kg
• ISO 19296 certification for underground mining vehicles
• Advanced telematics and modular design to reduce maintenance costs

These details position the TerraCharge as one of the first purpose-built electric mining pickups designed from the ground up rather than adapted from an existing platform.

Why it matters to saab fans

This isn’t just another story about a startup. For Saab enthusiasts, the symbolism is strong. JMV’s first sale being a Saab, and now the firm returning to Trollhättan for production, underscores how deeply the Swedish town remains tied to innovative, boundary-pushing vehicles. While it’s not a Saab badge on the hood, the TerraCharge continues the tradition of Trollhättan as a birthplace for forward-thinking cars, blending European engineering with practical solutions to real-world challenges.

A new legacy in the making

Mining is far removed from the world of turbocharged 900s and 9-5 Aeros, but the DNA of innovation that once defined Saab is alive in Trollhättan’s workshops again. With JMV, EDAG, and T-Engineering working together, the former Saab factory will once more see vehicles roll out of its gates – not for the highways of Europe, but for the depths of mines worldwide. The circle is indeed closing, and Trollhättan’s story as a center of automotive ingenuity continues.