Australian express freight giant Team Global Express has placed the largest order to date globally for Volvo medium-duty electric and the largest order of electric trucks in Australia so far.
A total of 36 Volvo FL Electric will be equipped with four 66kWh battery packs for increased range and improved charging performance.
The FL Electric utilises a 600-volt single motor electric drive system as well as a 2-speed automated transmission and has a range of up to 300km.
With a GVM of 16,000kg, payload for the quad battery FL is expected to be 5900kg in this application.
The trucks, which are expected to be operational by the latter half of 2023, will be fitted with 10-pallet van bodies and will become a part of the company’s Sydney metropolitan pick-up and delivery fleet based at the western Sydney depot in Bungarribee.
The $44.3 million project – the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has kicked in $20.1 million of that total – also includes the purchase and operation of 24 Fuso eCanters and the associated charging and site infrastructure to enable vehicle integration into the depot.
“We’ve had to put in some hard yards to ensure that we deliver a customer experience that is a step up from the status quo,” said Paul Illmer, vice president emerging technology business development, Volvo Group Australia.
Electromobility doesn’t have to be a compromise and ultimately, I feel we will prove this and more as these trucks take to the streets during 2023.”
A determined advocate of the zero-emissions journey, Heather Bone, director of ESG for Team Global Express, has been the driving force behind the move towards electrification.
“As an organisation we are committed to decarbonizing along our intermodal supply chain.”
“This is one of our first major steps towards becoming the most sustainable transport company and I can’t wait to see these trucks plying the streets of Sydney in the very near future.”
“By collaborating with ARENA we have been able to make a big commitment to making our cities better places to be and contribute to a happier, healthier society.”
Christine Holgate, Group CEO of Team Global Express, said the pioneering trial will place Team Global Express at the forefront of electric vehicle adoption in the Australian logistics sector.
“I want to thank ARENA and Minister Chris Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy) for this opportunity and their support under the Driving The Nation Fund,” said Holgate.
“I would also like to thank our employees, our union partner the TWU, and our board, who together have all made this trial possible. This announcement is a very proud milestone for our people, our customers, our industry and our country.”