GEODIS, a global leader in transport and logistics, announced the delivery of its second electric truck from Volvo Australia at the Brisbane Truck Show on May 16.
Volvo Australia said the handover marks another milestone in the partnership which spans over four decades and aligns with GEODIS’ broader strategy to drive decarbonisation across all business areas and regions.
The Volvo FE truck model is powered by the latest generation of battery technology, advanced solar energy and equipped with an energy-efficient charging system, optimising both range and load capacity.
“At GEODIS, our commitment to reducing the supply chain carbon footprint is strengthened through partnerships with like-minded companies such as Volvo Australia,” said Stuart Asplet, Sub-Regional Managing Director, Pacific, Japan and Korea, at GEODIS.
“Our mutual collaboration with Volvo consists not only of fulfilling their freight forwarding and transportation needs but also of advancing our mutual vision for sustainability through increased electric truck development.
“We believe that sustainability is not just a responsibility in the supply chain sector; it is a strategic imperative that drives innovation, efficiency, and resilience in global operations.”
The FE trucks are equipped with a cutting-edge charging system, which accelerates the process by leveraging existing solar infrastructure, making them ideal for transporting heavy loads up to 11,000kg over 200km ranges within metropolitan areas.
The full integration of these trucks into GEODIS’ Australian fleet is set to completely remove fine particles and nitrogen oxide from emissions and ensure a 95 percent reduction in direct carbon emissions, compared to existing diesel vehicles performing the same function.
Launched in early 2023, the first FE electric truck transported Volvo parts from GEODIS’ Matraville NSW headquarters to Volvo Group Australia’s Minto NSW Parts Distribution Centre on the Southwestern outskirts of Sydney.
The second FE truck will transport Volvo’s truck components and sub-assemblies from the Brisbane airport to the Volvo Wacol production facility in Brisbane.
Tim Camilleri, Director, Electromobility Solutions at Volvo Group Australia, said the partnership with GEODIS continues to drive forward Volvo’s commitment to developing lower-emission and safer transport solutions.
“Over the past two years, we have witnessed a remarkable growth in EV adoption, demonstrating the industry’s shift towards sustainable practices,” Camilleri said.
“By consistently advancing our electromobility technology, we have significantly enhanced the range, efficiency and performance of our FE trucks. These efforts represent crucial strides towards Volvo’s goal of building an energy-efficient transport ecosystem in the Australian heavy vehicle market.”
GEODIS’ climate action extends beyond fleet decarbonisation. It includes an ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions at company sites by 2030, targeting a 40 per cent improvement in energy efficiency and ensuring that at least 90 per cent of energy used comes from low-carbon sources.