Trucks
The ground-breaking trial, in partnership with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), will see Team Global Express replace a third of its Western Sydney fleet with a total of 60 electric trucks to deliver parcels to customers around the metropolitan Sydney area.
Over the last 12 months, Team Global Express has been constructing the charging infrastructure and battery storage system, utilising 400kws of solar energy panels and providing training to drivers to operate the new electric vehicles.
Team Global Express CEO Christine Holgate said transport accounts for 19% of all emissions in Australia and this trial represents a step towards addressing the emissions intensity of the sector:
“Team Global Express is proud to roll out an electric vehicle trial of this scale and support our industry and country’s renewable energy transition ambitions.
“As part of our partnership with ARENA, we will be sharing the knowledge we gain from the trial with other industry providers to benefit to the entire sector.
“At the time of placing our order with Volvo, we held the record for the largest order of medium duty electric vehicles the company had received globally. We are thrilled that these trucks are on Sydney roads delivering parcels directly to residential and commercial customers.”
Team Global Express’ Director of ESG, Heather Bone, said that Western Sydney was chosen for its strategic location to urban distribution areas, allowing for the trucks to stop and start regularly thereby generating energy via braking:
“We have been working closely with our drivers, our local community, our customers and our unions to ensure that we learn from this trial and share that learning amongst the industry. It has been tremendous to see the smiles on the faces of our drivers - and we have also been able to work with a number of our female drivers for them to get their heavy driving licences so that they can enjoy driving our electric trucks.”
The benefits of the electric truck fleet will extend to local communities through reduced vehicle noise and improved urban air quality. Additionally, our drivers will benefit from improved safety conditions through lower noise and vibrations and the general safety benefits of a new fleet with the latest technology, sensors and ergonomics.
Today, to celebrate the roll out of the fleet, Volvo’s Global CEO, Martin Lundstedt, joined Team Global Express executives at the Bungaribee depot of the future:
“It is a privilege to witness projects such as this come to life around the globe and I’m very happy to be here in person to see this site in operation”, says Lundstedt, “partnerships like the one we have with Team Global Express are vital as the world continues on its zero emissions journey.”
“I congratulate all involved for their dedication towards making our cities a better place to live and for taking a positive step towards the future of our planet.”
Matt Wood
Public Relations and Media Manager (Volvo Group Australia)
Mobile: +61 (0)436 681 117
Email: matthew.wood@volvo.com
About Volvo Group Australia
Volvo Group Australia is responsible for Mack, Volvo truck brands within Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and the South Pacific Islands. Mack and Volvo Trucks proudly carry the Australian Made certification for trucks built at the local Wacol factory in Brisbane. Volvo Group Australia is the sole authorised distributor for UD Trucks in Australia.
We provide complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, including complete solutions for financing and service. Over 1400 people are employed by Volvo Group Australia across the country, with over 80 suppliers also benefitting from local production. Volvo Group boasts the largest dealer network in Australia and New Zealand with service points across the country giving access to metropolitan and regional customers.