GEODIS, a global leader in the transport and logistics sector, has joined hands with Volvo Australia to pilot the first Fully Electric (FE) variant truck for freight forwarding within the Australian market. This strategic partnership will deploy Volvo’s FE model trucks – powered by both solar energy and energy-efficient charging systems – as part of a concerted effort to support long-term customers with sustainable delivery solutions to complement existing freight forwarding services across the local market.

The Volvo FE truck is powered by ABB’s state-of-the-art charging infrastructure, which not only accelerates charging but also enables the vehicle to draw power from existing solar infrastructure. As part of the pilot program, GEODIS will be assessing factors, including the driving range, the suitability for heavy loads of up to 7,500 kilograms to be transported across 200-kilometer ranges within metropolitan areas via FE trucks before committing to a larger-scale roll-out across its fleet in Australia. The full integration of these trucks into GEODIS’ Australian fleet is set to completely remove fine particles and nitrogen oxide, in addition to ensuring a 95 percent reduction in direct carbon emissions, compared to existing diesel vehicles performing the same function.

“We recognize the growing importance of integrating both sustainable and innovative solutions into the supply chain ecosystem, especially as more of our customers look to us to transport their cargo in an ethical and sustainable manner,” said Stuart Asplet, Sub-Regional Managing Director, Pacific at GEODIS. “This initiative serves not only as a testament to our long-standing relationship with Volvo but also to our collective vision to decarbonize the supply chain industry, even as we continue to expand our services to meet evolving customer needs. We look forward to formalizing many more of such milestones as we continue to take steps forward to reduce our impact on the environment.”

As part of a long-term plan to decarbonize the supply chain, GEODIS has also built a robust ecosystem to ensure future FE trucks can be fully optimized across its road network. With the support of Volvo Australia’s e-mobility team, GEODIS has upskilled its drivers with electric-vehicle training and designed holistic route and load planning processes to get the most efficient use of the assets. Partners like Goodman Group were also brought on board to install solar panels and charging infrastructure across GEODIS’ facilities, paving the way for the further electrification of the GEODIS fleet.

“We are thrilled to be working with GEODIS on this pilot program to extend our Volvo FE fleet within the Australian heavy vehicle market. Bringing low-carbon and more circular transport solutions has always been a key priority for us, and this strategic partnership is one of the many steps that we are taking to build a more energy-efficient transport ecosystem for the market. By developing lower-emissions and safer transport solutions, we hope to be able to provide our customers and their stakeholders the ability to also reach their sustainability targets,” said. Tim Camilleri, Electromobility Manager, Volvo Group Australia

GEODIS has also been ramping up the implementation of other low-carbon transport systems, including building efficient, multimodal transport networks – that tap into the use of rail, short sea shipping, and inland waterways – and fully optimizing the volume and payload of fleets. GEODIS has also launched its Sustainable Fuel Program worldwide, which aims to accelerate the use of alternative and renewable fuels, including marine fuels, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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GEODIS is investing in a “green” fleet for urban delivery in France. The aim is to reduce pollution and noise disturbance. On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, Stéphane Cassagne, GEODIS Executive Vice President of Distribution & Express Line of Business, and Emilio Portillo, Managing Director of IVECO France, signed an agreement that includes an order for 200 CNG vehicles that will be fueled with biogas. Delivery is scheduled for the end of 2021.

“This investment marks another new step for GEODIS in reducing the impact of its activities on the environment and combating climate change. In particular, by greening road transport in the last mile we will contribute to decarbonizing the sector. Urban logistics is at the heart of our actions.” says Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO of GEODIS.

GEODIS’ goal is to achieve 100% carbon-free transport to the city centers of France’s 35 largest cities (with populations of more than 150,000 inhabitants) within three years. The proactive strategy initiated several years ago has reached a new level with the signing of this order with IVECO, the leader in alternative energies, with nearly 60% of the French market.

GEODIS chose 107 IVECO Daily and 93 Eurocargo vehicles powered by BioGNV, a fuel that reduces CO2 emissions by up to 95% while offering the same performance as a diesel vehicle. Compared to a Euro VI-E diesel vehicle, fine particle emissions are reduced by 95% and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions by 90%. These vehicles fall into the Crit’Air 1 category. Certified by Pieck Quiet Truck 71 dB, they are able to make silent deliveries by day and night.

“The increased use of new energies is a lever for action to reduce the emissions linked to our distribution activities. This order for 200 vehicles is a major step that marks our commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. It positions us as a major player in clean delivery in France, an ambition that brings yet more benefits to our customers” said Stéphane Cassagne, Executive Vice President of GEODIS’ Distribution & Express line of business.

“We welcome GEODIS’ commitment and the trust placed in our brand. IVECO believed very early on in the natural gas solution, for which demand is growing steadily in France and in Europe. With this solution, which meets the triple objective of protecting our health, the climate and the quality of life in the city, our vehicles have become the benchmark for transporters who are already committed to the ecological transition” said Emilio Portillo, Managing Director of IVECO France.

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Strongly committed to reducing its carbon footprint, GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, has set itself the ambition of reducing its CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030.

To achieve this objective, GEODIS has deployed a program that focuses on four areas of progress: measuring; reducing its greenhouse gas emissions – in particular through lower fuel consumption and the development of alternative engines and energies; setting up partnerships with its main subcontractors and developing “low-carbon” solutions for its customers.

In addition, GEODIS is aware that collaboration and involvement with major groups are essential to meet the challenges of climate change and is therefore engaging with the various players in the sector.

By joining ECTA’s creation and call to action alongside 20 other leading European businesses and organisations, it is GEODIS’ intention to help progress the mission of decarbonizing road freight in the European Union.

“GEODIS calls for the implementation of policies that accelerate the decarbonization of the road freight sector with an approach that is fair to the whole market. The deployment of low-emission vehicles and energy infrastructure is an essential requirement to enable the transport sector’s transition.” says Philippe de Carné, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Innovation & Business Excellence of GEODIS.

ECTA calls urges the European Union to make the shift to zero-emissions trucks a priority in order to meet the ambitious emission targets of the proposed EU Climate Law by 2030 and achieve a carbon-neutral Europe by 2050.

More information on the ECTA announcement: https://clean-trucking.eu/

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