Australian freight giant Team Global Express has made the biggest order for electric trucks in Australia after landing a $20 million deal with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to fund the purchase.
The deal involves the purchase of 36 medium duty electric trucks from the Swedish based Volvo Trucks – its biggest single order anywhere in the world – and another 24 light rigid battery electric trucks from Fuso.
The Volvo FL Electric trucks – which will be delivered early in 2023 – 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.
The trucks will be fitted with 10-pallet van bodies and will become a part of the company’s Sydney metropolitan pick-up and delivery fleet.The trucks have a gross mass of 16,000kg and a payload of 5,500kg.
Team Global Express was once part of the logistics giant Toll Holdings but was sold to private equity company Allegro in September last year.
“Today is an important step toward progressing Australia’s pathway to reduce scope 1 emissions and secure a net zero future,” said CEO Christine Holgate, the former boss at Australia Post.
“This is the first project of its scale in Australian logistics, as such we are in a unique position to work closely with ARENA to share the knowledge we gain and provide this vital information for the benefit of the entire transport and logistics sector.”
“By collaborating with ARENA (the Australian Renewable Energy Agency) we have been able to make a big commitment to making our cities better places to be and contribute to a happier, healthier society.” said Heather Bone, the director of ESG for Team Global Express
Volvo Trucks has been one of the leaders in the shift to electric heavy transport, and was the first to begin series production of heavy duty electric trucks at its Gothenburg factory in September.
“We are extremely happy to see a valued customer such as Team Global Express take such a significant step towards zero-emissions transport,” says Paul Illmer, the vice president of emerging technology business development at Volvo Group Australia.
“Importantly it’s also a show of faith in our ability to deliver electric transport solutions that are efficient, productive and dependable business solutions.
“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.”
The ARENA grant will help bridge the gap between the cost of battery electric trucks and diesel trucks, and support Team Global Express plan to spend $44 million on charging and other site infrastructure that will help power the electric express parcels fleet based at the Sydney depot.
It is the second major initiative from the federal government on electric vehicles in the last week, following the $20.5 million committed by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to support discount loans for electric vehicle purchases made through Taurus Motor Finance.
Keyword: Express freight giant makes biggest order for electric trucks in Australia