Big order for Volvo electric trucks

Australian express freight giant, Team Global Express has placed the largest order to date globally for Volvo medium-duty electric trucks, and the largest order of electric trucks in Australia so far.

A total of 36 Volvo FL Electric have been ordered. These will be equipped with four 66kWh battery packs for increased range and improved charging performance.

The FL Electric uses a 600-volt single motor electric drive system as well as a two-speed automated transmission and has a range of up to 300 kilometres.

With a GVM of 16,000kg, payload for the quad battery FL is expected to be 5900kg in this application.

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.

“I’m extremely happy to see a valued customer such as Team Global Express take such a significant step towards zero-emissions transport,” said Paul Illmer, Vice President Emerging Technology Business Development, 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.

“We’ve had to put in some hard yards to ensure that we deliver a customer experience that is a step up from the status quo. 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.”

“We provide an entire connected ecosystem around our electric vehicles, and this helps deliver both peace of mind and certainty when transitioning to zero emissions vehicles.

“Working with a partner that is as passionate and proactive about this transition as we are makes this order all the more rewarding.”

A determined advocate of the zero-emissions journey, Heather Bone, Director of ESG for Team Global Express, has been the driving force behind the move towards electrification.

“As an organisation we are committed to decarbonising along our intermodal supply chain,” she said. “This is one of our first major steps towards becoming the most sustainable transport company and I can’t wait to see these trucks plying the streets of Sydney in the very near future.

“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.”

Related reading:
Volvo heavy-duty electric trucks next year
One operator looking to go 'fully electric''
Volvo heavy-duty electric: Review

Christine Holgate, Group CEO of Team Global Express, said the pioneering trial will place Team Global Express at the forefront of electric vehicle adoption in the Australian logistics sector: “I want to thank ARENA and Minister Chris Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy) for this opportunity and their support under the Driving The Nation Fund,” Ms Holgate said.

“I would also like to thank our employees, our Union partner the TWU, and our board, who together have all made this trial possible. This announcement is a very proud milestone for our people, our customers, our industry and our country,” she concluded.