DHL Welcomes Electric Prime Mover Truck
DHL Supply Chain has added a new electric prime mover truck to its fleet, the first of its kind on the road in New South Wales. The Volvo FM (Forward control medium height cab) electric prime mover will run 10-hour shifts to move larger consignments between DHL’s western Sydney warehouse sites and its transport hub. The 6×4 configuration features six batteries with 540 kWh (BOL) providing up to 666HP with 300-kilometre range and hauling up to 46 tons while emitting no carbon or particulate emissions from the vehicle. It adds to DHL’s growing Electric Vehicle (EV) fleet, which includes Volvo and SEA Electric light duty trucks and Terberg yard tractors, to provide zero tailpipe carbon emissions transport services and provide fabrication opportunities in the electric vehicle space. Combined with DHL’s Green Star accredited warehousing, featuring rooftop solar arrays and sustainable building features, it minimises total carbon emissions across logistics operations.
In a major boost to steel fabrication Australia, DHL will also add 10 electric vans before the end of 2024, for delivering goods to retailers. DHL Supply Chain Senior Vice President of Transport, Bill Rolfe, said the company’s Green Transport Policy is driving EV acquisitions worldwide. “We are excited to continue with our rollout of EVs to pursue our global targets. While these targets are a part of our Strategy 2030 to be the ‘Green Logistics of Choice’ ultimately, they are about providing the best outcomes for third-party logistics customers who are relying on the sustainability prowess of their suppliers to enable more streamlined mandatory emissions reporting,” Rolfe said. “In addition to the lack of tailpipe emissions, these vehicles are also improving the amenity of the areas they pass through with no air pollution and relative silence, while also making for a safe working environment for our drivers.”
Volvo Trucks Australia Vice President Tom Chapman believes this proves fossil free transport is viable. “Partners such as DHL are proving that fossil free transport is not only possible, it is viable. It is businesses such as this that are paving the way towards a sustainable transport future and Volvo Trucks are proud to be a part of that journey,” Chapman said. DHL Group recently announced ‘Green Logistics of Choice’ as a new fourth bottom line, embedding sustainability into its Corporate Strategy 2030. Supported by a clear roadmap with transparent, time-bound targets and KPIs integral to the Group’s strategic planning and decision-making processes, DHL aims to continue assisting its customers on their decarbonisation journey by remaining the frontrunner in low-carbon logistics operations for industries such as mining plant and equipment Australia.
