Australia Post has debuted its first Volvo electric delivery truck, an Electric FL which offers a range of up to 300 kilometres.
Part of a six-month trial to determine its capabilities and suitability, the Electric FL operates on four batteries with a combined energy capacity of 266kWh. With a range of up to 300km depending on application and payload capacity of up to 5,500kg, the Electric FL can deliver 425Nm of torque to the rear wheels via a 2-speed automated transmission.
According to Australia Post Divisional General Manager South, James Dixon, the Electric FL has already been in operation for a couple of months “and is performing well.”
“We have worked hard to help reduce our carbon emissions over the last decade, including by adopting low and zero emission vehicles where possible with the largest fleet of electric delivery vehicles in Australia,” said Dixon.
“We will continue to push electric vehicles into our fleet where we can to help reduce emissions wherever we can.”
Australia Post has targeted net zero emissions by 2050 and is aiming to source 100% renewable electricity by 2025 across all its operational and corporate sites. As part of this, Australia’s government-owned postal services provider is also aiming to increase its fleet of electric vehicles.
Already boasting Australia’s largest electric delivery fleet, Australia Post claims 4,635 vehicles including electric bikes and three-wheeled electric vehicles.
The introduction of the Volvo Electric FL into Australia Post’s fleet of delivery vehicles continues the company’s efforts to cut emissions.
Volvo Trucks Australia has been introducing medium-duty battery electric trucks into Australia since mid-2021. It has also been given the green light to begin local validation of Heavy-Duty electric trucks on Queensland roads at weights of up to 42,500kg.
These heavy-duty trucks will have the latest heavy vehicle safety features such as lane keeping assist, blind spot detection, passenger corner camera, dynamic steering with stability assist, underrun protection, collision warning with emergency brake, and electronically controlled brake systems.
Similarly, the Electric FL offers a full suite of its own active safety systems, including Autonomous Emergency Braking, and has achieved the rigorous Swedish BOF10 crash rating which surpasses current European crash test standards.
“It’s very rewarding seeing these vehicles go into service after so much hard work ensuring they are the right fit for both our market and the applications they are being put into,” said Tim Camilleri, e-mobility manager at Volvo Group Australia.
“These vehicles are proving themselves day in and day out around the globe.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.