Fonterra has launched the first electric Volvo truck on New Zealand soil, via a partnership with Volvo Trucks NZ and its parent company Sime Darby Motors NZ.

The Volvo FL Electric truck will be put through a  six-month trial at Fonterra Brands NZ Distribution Centre in Mangere.

Paul Illmer, vice president emerging technology business development at Volvo Group Australia, said Volvo has a battery electric or fuel cell electric alternative for every Internal Combustion Engine model on the market, either currently in production or at trial stage.

He said the actual truck is only part of the solution when it comes to New Zealand’s transition to sustainable transport.

“Tools, expertise and infrastructure are essential to deliver operational peace of mind for New Zealand transport companies as they make the shift to e-mobility,” said Illmer. “Selecting the right model and specification for both application and route is critical, as is driver training, specialist aftersales support, and charging infrastructure.”

Fonterra Brands New Zealand managing director Brett Henshaw said that the new truck is an important step for the Co-op, as it looks to reduce emissions across its entire supply chain.

“Our objective is to fulfil our Co-op’s long-term commitment to be a leader in sustainability, while also upholding our customer commitments. It’s great to partner with Volvo Trucks NZ, and one of the largest groups supporting the New Zealand transport industry, Sime Darby Motors NZ,” he said.

The new truck is one part of Fonterra’s wider fleet decarbonisation journey. Last year it implemented a new policy that all light vehicles that can be electric to be transitioned when they are next replaced. Fonterra’s aim is for more than 300 light vehicles to be electric vehicles by the end of 2023.

The Co-op has also invested in its tanker fleet, adopting the latest technology in terms of efficiency and lower emissions. Earlier this year, Fonterra took that one step further and, with funding support from EECA, are trialling the first fully electric milk tanker in New Zealand.