GEODIS, a global leader in transport and logistics, announced the delivery of its second electric truck from Volvo Trucks Australia at the Brisbane Truck Show on 16 May.
This marks another milestone in the partnership between GEODIS and Volvo Trucks Australia which spans over 4 decades. The partners share a collective vision to decarbonize the supply chain and reduce its impact on the environment.
Recognizing the low-carbon emissions of electric vehicles during its use, the introduction of this second Volvo unit is part of a strategic project to accelerate the transition to low-impact transportation in Australia. The initiative aligns with GEODIS’ broader strategy to drive decarbonization across all business areas and regions. The Volvo FE truck model is powered by the latest generation of battery technology, advanced solar energy and equipped with an energy-efficient charging system, optimizing both range and load capacity.
Stuart Asplet, Cluster Managing Director - Pacific, Korea, Japan, at GEODIS, stated, "At GEODIS, our commitment to reducing the supply chain carbon footprint is strengthened through partnerships with like-minded companies such as Volvo Australia. Our mutual collaboration with Volvo consists not only of fulfilling their freight forwarding and transportation needs but also of advancing our mutual vision for sustainability through increased electric truck development. We believe that sustainability is not just a responsibility in the supply chain sector; it is a strategic imperative that drives innovation, efficiency, and resilience in global operations."
From left, Tim Camilleri, Director E-Mobility Solutions Volvo Group Australia; Tom Chapman, Vice President Volvo Sales & Marketing; Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks; Stuart Asplet, Cluster Managing Director - Pacific, Korea, Japan, GEODIS; His Excellency, Pontus Melander Swedish Ambassador to Australia; Per-Erik Lindström, Senior Vice President Volvo Trucks International; Martin Merrick, President Volvo Group Australia
The FE trucks are charged via a cutting-edge charging system, which accelerates the process by leveraging existing solar infrastructure. These electric trucks are ideal for transporting heavy loads of up to 10,000kg with over 200-kilometers of range within metropolitan areas. The full integration of this type of trucks into GEODIS’ Australian fleet is set to completely remove fine particles and nitrogen oxide from emissions at the exhaust, and their usage will ensure a 95 percent reduction in direct carbon emissions, compared to existing diesel vehicles performing the same function.
Launched in early 2023, the first FE truck transported Volvo parts from GEODIS’ Matraville NSW headquarters to Volvo Group Australia’s Minto NSW Parts Distribution Centre on the Southwestern outskirts of Sydney. The second FE truck will transport Volvo’s truck components and sub-assemblies from Brisbane airport to the Volvo Wacol production facility in Brisbane.
Tim Camilleri, Director, Electromobility Solutions at Volvo Group Australia, commented, "Our partnership with GEODIS continues to drive forward our commitment to developing lower-emission and safer transport solutions. Over the past 2 years, we have witnessed a remarkable growth in EV adoption, demonstrating the industry’s shift towards sustainable practices, with more than 80 Volvo Electric Trucks now on Australian roads. By consistently advancing our electromobility technology, we have significantly enhanced the range, efficiency and performance of our electric trucks. These efforts represent crucial strides towards Volvo’s goal of building an energy-efficient transport ecosystem in the Australian heavy vehicle market.”
GEODIS’ climate action extends beyond fleet decarbonization. It includes an ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions at company sites by 2030, targeting a 40% improvement in energy efficiency and ensuring that at least 90% of energy used comes from low-carbon sources. All new site projects incorporate stringent environmental criteria. To ensure the long-term success of these initiatives, GEODIS is leveraging digital tools for optimizing routing, loading and energy efficiency, and is continually driving awareness campaigns to empower its teams with climate-related knowledge.
GEODIS – www.geodis.com