FedEx has announced the introduction of 55 electric vehicles (EVs) to its parcel pickup and delivery fleet in Australia.
The vehicles comprise of Fuso eCanter trucks and Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans, which will operate in pickup and delivery services across metropolitan areas.
FedEx said the initial rollout will start in Adelaide with the introduction of 15 Fuso eCanter trucks hitting the road.
The remaining EVs are to be deployed in major cities including Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The company plans to expand into additional regional and metropolitan areas as new charging infrastructure is installed.
FedEx said the newly deployed electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them ideal for daily parcel pickup and delivery.
The Fuso eCanter trucks are estimated to avoid up to 13.2 tons of CO2 tailpipe emissions per vehicle annually when travelling 30,000 kilometres compared to diesel models, with an estimated range of up to 200 kilometres on a single charge.
Daimler Truck Australia Pacific President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, said the eCanter order represents a huge step forward for sustainable transport.
“FedEx is setting the sustainability benchmark globally and we are thrilled to support this amazing leadership in Australia with the Fuso Canter, the most advanced electric small truck in the market,” Whitehead said.
“We know FedEx will provide a great example of how companies and their customers can benefit from high-quality electric trucks.”
Daimler Truck Sales, Marketing and Operations Vice President, Andrew Assimo, Assimo said the Fuso eCanter is the perfect fit for FedEx.
“The Fuso eCanter features unmatched technology, from its clever e-axle to its next-level active emergency braking capabilities, and we know they will help FedEx deliver the kind of service that it is famous for,” he said.
“We are excited to see the FedEx Fuso eCanters out on the road, delivering for customers while producing zero exhaust pipe emissions.”
Each eSprinter van is projected to avoid up to 8.5 tonnes of CO2 tailpipe emissions per year based on estimated distance travelled compared to a diesel-powered equivalent, featuring a 1.5-tonne load capacity and a 264-kilometre range on a full charge.
“The introduction of these electric vehicles to our pickup and delivery fleet in Australia marks a pivotal moment in our operations,” said Peter Langley, Regional Vice President, FedEx Australasia.
“It is an important initial step we have taken to help reduce the environmental impact of our pickup and delivery operations while continuing to provide the efficient and reliable service our customers expect.”
Langley said that as e-commerce continues to grow and consumers become more environmentally conscious, FedEx believes that embracing electric vehicles is a strategic imperative for a cleaner and more sustainable future.
“We are not just delivering parcels and freight; we are taking tangible steps to help build a more sustainable future for the communities we serve,” Langley added.
FedEx Australasia’s parent company, FedEx Corporation, aims to electrify the entire FedEx global parcel pickup and delivery (PUD) fleet by 2040 and achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040 across its global business lines.
The introduction of the new EV fleet in Australia follows a recent successful launch of EVs in New Zealand and comes the same week that the federal government announced a $1.1 billion investment package for low-carbon liquid fuels.