Team Global Express is rolling out Australia’s largest logistics electric vehicle fleet with up to 60 new electric trucks hitting the streets in Western Sydney.
The freight and logistics firm will receive 36 Volvo eFLs (the truck brand’s largest order of medium duty electric vehicles globally) and 24 Daimler Fuso eCanters in total to facilitate the five-year trial.
To date, 43 out of the 60 ordered trucks have arrived at the Team Global Express (TGE) depot in Bungarribee, Eastern Creek.
The ground-breaking trial is part of a $44.3 million investment with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to help TGE replace a third of its Western Sydney fleet with electric trucks to deliver parcels to customers around the metropolitan area.
Over the last 12 months, the logistics firm has transformed its Bungarribee facility into ‘The Depot of the Future’ to house the vital infrastructure required to service the all-new electric vehicles.
The upgraded depot includes the construction of charging infrastructure and a battery storage system, which utilises 400kWs of solar energy from on-site panels. The installed 1MW battery energy storage system (BESS) will enhance the depot’s renewable power capacity and reduce Team Global Express’ reliance on grid power.
TGE was able to save $7300 of energy costs in the first hour of the BESS system being turned on.
Group chief executive Christine Holgate says the trial represents an important step towards addressing the emissions intensity of the sector, with transport accounting for 19% of all emissions in Australia.
“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 the entire sector.
“We are thrilled that these trucks are on Sydney roads delivering parcels directly to residential and commercial customers,” Holgate says.
Team Global Express’ director of ESG, Heather Bone, says that Western Sydney was chosen for its strategic location to urban distribution areas, allowing for the trucks to increase their own energy via regenerative braking.
“We are delighted to unveil Team Global Express’ Depot of the Future and begin servicing the Western Sydney community with deliveries driven by electric vehicles.
“Bungarribee now houses advanced charging infrastructure fuelled by solar energy, enabling our new trucks to be recharged and back on the streets in as little as two hours if required,” Bone says.
TGE team members based at Bungarribee have undertaken specialised electric vehicle training.
“We’ve also used this trial as an opportunity to upskill a number of our female employees and support them in getting their heavy vehicle driving licences; so they too can enjoy driving our new electric trucks,” Bone says.
Volvo’s global chief executive Martin Lundstedt joined TGE executives at the Bungarribee depot of the future to launch the trucks.
“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,” Lundstedt says.
“Partnerships like the one we have with Team Global Express are vital as the world continues on its zero emissions journey.”
