Trucks
The Volvo FH heavy electric prime mover, handed over at a ceremony with NET, Volvo Trucks and Unilever on Sydney Harbour, is the first of 11 Volvo trucks NET will put on the road over the next 12 months. It is the first truck operational under a Volvo Financial Services arrangement with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to reduce the cost of leasing heavy electric trucks in Australia.
The truck enters commercial service for Unilever immediately, hauling essential consumer goods on daily weekday deliveries from Unilever's distribution centre at Ingleburn to customer sites across Sydney. The partnership makes Unilever NET's foundation customer and one of the first major consumer goods companies in Australia to utilise electric heavy vehicle road freight.
The announcements come just weeks after NET unveiled its Rapid Deployment Plan, backed by an initial $5 million equity raise backed by Jekara Group and facilitated by Pollination, to put 20 electric trucks supported by six mobile charging units on Australian roads before the end of 2026.
Fredrik Pehrsson, Co-CEO, New Energy Transport said: “New Energy Transport is proud to be partnering with Unilever and Volvo to make electric heavy road freight a reality in Australia. This is a major milestone as we take the keys to our first truck and bring our first customer onto the road.
“Volvo are pioneers in high-quality electric trucks , and their extensive service network also brings certainty on vehicle uptime for us and our customers. With Unilever on board, we couldn't have asked for a better foundation customer. Unilever is one of the world's largest consumer goods companies, and its decision to put electric trucks to work in Sydney is an example of real leadership.
“Electric road freight means lower costs, greater reliability and a real cut in emissions, and it's brands like Unilever that will drive the shift at scale, decarbonising their supply chains while delivering greater efficiency. There's real momentum building and we're proud to see our fist electric truck hit the road carrying essential consumer goods for Unilever.”
Brooke Sprott, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Unilever, said: “Decarbonising heavy freight transport is one of the most complex challenges in our supply chain, and it’s not something any company can solve alone. That’s why we are proud to be a foundation partner of New Energy Transport and utilise their first heavy electric prime mover in Australia. This partnership is an important step in accelerating progress towards net zero emissions across our value chain.
“This reflects Unilever’s broader leadership in decarbonisation, supported by operational emissions reductions already in place across our Australian factories through energy efficient initiatives.”
Roger Alm, Executive Vice President of Volvo Group and President of Volvo Trucks, said: “This partnership with New Energy Transport shows how the transition to lower-emission transport is moving forward through collaboration. Volvo Trucks brings proven electric truck technology, Volvo Financial Services helps lower barriers to entry, and our dealer network supports customers wherever they operate. That Total offer is what helps turn ambition into action.”
Martin Merrick, CEO and President, Volvo Group Australia, said: “What makes this moment significant is that it brings together three things that are essential for the transition ahead: a customer ready to lead, a freight operator ready to invest, and a truck partner with proven technology and support in place. We are proud that New Energy Transport has chosen Volvo Trucks as part of that journey.”
NET is building Australia’s first vertically integrated electric freight platform. The centrepiece is Australia’s largest planned heavy electric trucking depot at Wilton in NSW, recently selected under the Federal Government’s Investor Front Door program as a project of national significance. Anchoring freight corridors between Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and Canberra, the Wilton depot is expected to be operational in late 2027 with initial capacity for 50 trucks expanding to 200 over time. NET is also progressing plans for a network of electric road freight depots connecting Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane by 2031.
Daniel Bleakley, Co-CEO, New Energy Transport, said: “Today’s announcements are just the start. We’re racing to meet to a surge in demand from some of Australia's largest transport buyers for electric road freight. Over the coming months we'll take delivery of the rest of the Volvo fleet, install a network of rapid charging stations across NSW, and continue to advance planning for our Wilton depot, which will be Australia's largest heavy electric trucking facility once completed in 2027.
“New Energy Transport is building the foundation of a vertically integrated electric freight network connecting the entire east coast and beyond. Momentum is growing with Volvo Trucks and Unilever helping to lead the charge.”
Matt Wood
Public Relations and Corporate Communications Manager (Volvo Group Australia)
Mobile: +61 (0)436 681 117
Email: matthew.wood@volvo.com
About Volvo Group Australia:
Volvo Group Australia manufactures heavy duty Volvo and Mack trucks at its facility in Wacol, Queensland, where it has built vehicles for Australian conditions for more than 50 years. As part of the global Volvo Group, the business is a recognised leader in the electrification of heavy transport, with safety and sustainability at the core of everything it builds. Volvo Trucks is committed to being a long-term partner to Australian logistics operators on their journey to net-zero.