Global express transport company FedEx has announced it will introduce 55 electric vehicles to its Australian parcel pickup and delivery fleet.
The initial order will see 55 electric Fuso eCanter trucks and Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans operate in pickup and delivery services across metropolitan areas.
The initial rollout will commence in Adelaide with the introduction of 15 Fuso eCanter truckshitting the road. This marks the first phase of a broader expansion, with the remaining EVs to be deployed in major cities including Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
The company plans to expand into additional regional and metropolitan areas as new charging infrastructure is installed.
The Fuso eCanter trucks are estimated to avoid up to 13.2 tonnes of CO2 tailpipe emissions per vehicle annually when travelling 30,000 kilometres compared to diesel models, with an estimated range of up to 200 kilometres on a single charge.
Meanwhile, each eSprinter is projected to avoid up to 8.5 tonnes of CO2 tailpipe emissions per year based on estimated distance travelled compared to a diesel-powered equivalent, featuring a 1.5-tonne load capacity and a 264-kilometre range on a full charge.
“The introduction of these electric vehicles to our pickup and delivery fleet in Australia marks a pivotal moment in our operations,” FedEx Australasia regional vice president Peter Langley says.
“It is an important initial step we have taken to help reduce the environmental impact of our pickup and delivery operations while continuing to provide the efficient and reliable service our customers expect.
“As e-commerce continues to grow and consumers become more environmentally conscious, we believe that embracing electric vehicles is a strategic imperative for a cleaner and more sustainable future. We are not just delivering parcels and freight; we are taking tangible steps to help build a more sustainable future for the communities we serve.
The electrification initiative reinforces the goal of FedEx Australasia’s parent company, FedEx Corporation, to electrify the entire FedEx global parcel pickup and delivery (PUD) fleet by 2040 and achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040 across its global business lines.
The introduction of the new EV fleet in Australia follows a recent successful launch of EVs in New Zealand, further reinforcing FedEx Australasia’s efforts to support FedEx Corporation’s wider global strategy to reduce operational emissions across its network.
Beyond vehicle electrification, FedEx Corporation is also investing in other areas such as aircraft modernisation, sustainable fuels, renewable energy, efficient facilities, and is also supporting carbon sequestration research in pursuit of the company’s sustainability goals.