Team Global Express aims to reduce the emissions profile of its 6,500-strong heavy transport fleet, following the large-scale trial which will place 60 Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) into its Express Parcels fleet.
The 60 electric trucks comprise of 24 Daimler Fuso eCanters and 36 Volvo eFLs. The orders placed with Daimler and Volvo are the single largest orders each company has received for these electric trucks in the world, to date.
Once the vehicles are delivered, Team Global Express will be the largest logistics EV fleet in Australian and will be in a unique position to share knowledge with government, industry partners and manufacturers, to help all stakeholders towards a greener future for logistics.
The $44.3 million project, partly funded with $20.1 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), will deliver the 60 battery electric delivery vehicles and associated charging infrastructure to the western Sydney depot in Bungarribee, NSW as part of the Express Parcels’ fleet.
It is expected to generate significant insights on the impact on fleet management, delivery routing and infrastructure requirements when a large fleet electrifies a material proportion of its operations.
ARENA has committed over $100 million to the transport sector since 2016, including fast charging networks, home smart charging trials and hydrogen refueling infrastructure. ARENA funded projects have progressively built an understanding of key issues and helped to address key barriers.
ARENA will continue to support further development in zero emission vehicles and technologies, including further investment in charging stations across the country, as well as EV charging at home and applications for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, heavy fleets and vehicles used in mining.
Decarbonisation of land transport is a key priority for ARENA, with the Australian Government’s Driving the Nation program continuing to help industry and consumers take the steps necessary to see Australia’s transport emissions reduce in line with international commitments.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the project is an important next step to reduce emissions from heavy vehicles.
“We’re excited to be working with Global Express in switching a significant portion of its fleet to electric vehicles at its Bungarribee depot. We expect the project will provide valuable insights into the costs and operational aspects of transitioning its wider fleet to zero emissions vehicles. Importantly, our goal is for the heavy vehicle industry to learn from this project as others consider their transition pathway.
“Operating a fleet of battery electric heavy vehicles will help to address some of the key barriers to adoption, including overcoming the higher upfront purchase price, and uncertainty of integrating electric vehicles into existing operations at scale. Understanding these barriers will help to build market confidence around EV technology and show that the transition to heavy electric vehicles is possible,” Mr Miller said.
Christine Holgate, Group CEO of Team Global Express, said at the announcement that 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 Bowen for this opportunity and their support under the Driving the Nation Fund. I would also like to thank our employees, our Union partner the TWU, our Board and our banking partner – CBA1, 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.
“Today is an important step toward progressing Australia’s pathway to reduce scope 1 emissions and secure a net zero future. This is the first project of its scale in Australian logistics, as such we are in a unique position to work closely with ARENA to share the knowledge we gain and provide this vital information for the benefit of the entire transport and logistics sector.
“This trial will not only reduce emissions, it will also give our valued employees at Bungarribee the opportunity to be trained on charging, driving and optimising the electric vehicles of the future. For Team Global Express, it’s an important milestone in our vision to be Australia’s most sustainable logistics company,” said Holgate.
The Bungarribee site in Western Sydney will host this trial due to its strategic location, the nature of the operations and the suitability of the existing facilities to host the necessary battery and charging infrastructure for the fleet. The project will see nearly one third of Team Global Express’ Western Sydney fleet transition to electric trucks and operate under a ‘back-to-base’ model with travel from distribution centres to customers in residential and urban areas, with the trucks returning to the depot for charging.
The trucks will be powered and charged on-site at Bungarribee using both on-site solar generation, the installation of a battery energy storage system and the use of renewable energy from the grid. Construction of the depot and associated charging infrastructure will commence shortly after Christmas peak period and employ over 50 people. The Bungarribee depot will commence receiving the 60 vehicles over an 18 month period from early next year.
Team Global Express has been engaging with its local Bungarribee workforce and our Union partners, the TWU, to facilitate the transition of its driver workforce to electric vehicles, which will involve substantial investment in training and revised processes.
“I am so encouraged by the amazing response we have had from our people to put their hands up and volunteer to be part of this trial. We often talk about the transition of workforces as we move away from fossil fuels to renewable energy. This is happening in real time at Team Global Express as we retire diesel-fuelled vehicles and replace them with EVs. I am so proud of the enthusiasm and willingness from our team to participate in this change that benefits our customers, people and our Country,” said Christine Holgate.
The electric vehicle fleet will be deployed as part of Team Global Express’ parcels fleet as this is where the duty cycle is most appropriate to the distances driven during the day and the shift patterns of the drivers. The battery electric vehicles will service deliveries direct to customers in residential areas and commercial customers across a range of industries throughout the Greater Sydney area. Rolling out the electric truck fleet into an urban distribution area was chosen as trucks are stopping and starting regularly and therefore generating energy via braking.
The benefits of the electric truck fleet will extend to local communities through reduced vehicle noise and improved urban air quality. Additionally, our drivers will benefit from improved safety conditions through lower noise and vibrations and the general safety benefits of a new fleet with the latest technology, sensors and ergonomics.
The trial is part of Team Global Express’ ongoing plan to reduce emissions and environmental impacts relating to its intermodal fleet.
