It’s been the buzzword of the Australian truck industry for a few years now, but it’s official – battery electric vehicles are starting to well and truly inhabit the local scene. Gone are the days of a sole operator going out on their own to introduce the exciting technology into their fleet. Instead, it’s becoming more and more common, but nonetheless still just as exciting, for transport companies to announce the delivery of their first electric trucks.
The latest business in Australia’s transport scene to take the bold step into the electric sphere is Total Logistic Solutions (TLS). Last month, the fast-growing logistics and transport operator based in Tottenham, Victoria took on its first battery electric truck in a special Scania 25 P.
Coming complete with a 10-pallet curtainside body and powered tailgate, Scania Australia managing director Manfred Streit was on hand for the momentous occasion to deliver the silent, smooth and sleek truck to TLS.
“We are delighted to mark the presentation of this zero-tailpipe emission BEV truck to TLS,” Streit says.
“This truck will give TLS a real-world appreciation of the benefits of silent running, zero tailpipe emissions, as well as enhanced driver satisfaction.”
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Receiving the Scania 25 P on the TLS end was CEO Jason McHenry and managing director Doug Painter, with the pair heading to Scania’s head office in Campbellfield, Victoria to grab the keys and take the electric truck for a spin back to home base.
McHenry says the truck will first be used in typical last mile delivery operations across urban areas in the state.
“We will be testing this truck across our depots around Australia to better understand the efficiencies and effectiveness of the technology and to gauge driver acceptance. We are committed to delivering a greener tomorrow,” McHenry says.
“The payload of 10 pallets will be suitable for our delivery needs, and the available range will be more than adequate, judging by the final mile deliveries we currently make.”
McHenry says TLS is “very much looking forward” to integrating battery electric truck technology into its fleet. It comes at the right time as the operator is actively focusing on reducing its carbon footprint in the transport sector.
It first embarked on this mission by adding new fuel-efficient Euro 6 Scania V8 trucks to the fleet, with the models not skimping on grunt despite their more sustainable features. Already this has paid dividends, with TLS recording around a 10 per cent reduction in fuel and emissions as the V8 trucks haul A-double sets around the country.
This success led McHenry and the TLS team to go a step further and welcome the battery electric version from Scania to the fleet. McHenry says he is hopeful the new model will be very well received by customers.
“Our client base is going to be very interested as well in how we incorporate the Scania BEV into the fleet,” he says.
“Many have already expressed strong support for emissions-free deliveries.”
On the Scania side, new vehicle account manager for Scania’s Laverton branch in Victoria Travis Damianopoulos has no doubts that the new BEV will be an impressive performer for the transport operator.
“The Scania 25 P provides all the comforts and features and safety of a regular Scania truck, and we have worked with the local body builder, Austruck, to ensure a seamless application of the curtainsider body and Dhollandia tail lift,” he says.
“Attards, truck curtain and fleet graphics specialists, tastefully designed the side curtains to enhance the environmentally friendly message of the 25 P, along with clear EV branding on the doors. This truck will be turning heads wherever it goes.”
What changes lie in store for TLS drivers? Very little, with Damianopoulos saying any differences will tend to be positive. The silence inside the cab is the largest difference he expects drivers to notice when compared to diesel counterparts, with the low NVH and smart step-off acceleration making it “a joy to drive”.
“Undoubtedly there will be some competition among the TLS drivers to have a go behind the wheel,” he says.
Introducing a battery electric truck into a diesel fleet isn’t necessarily easy nowadays, with the different costs and infrastructure requirements making it a lengthier process. This is where Scania Finance Australia comes in, providing the funding for TLS to make the purchase as part of the global OEM’s total transport solution concept.
It allows operators like TLS to enjoy the magic of battery electric trucks without the initial cost stress, creating a pathway for more and more transport businesses to trial and enjoy the technology in local applications.
“TLS is a long-standing client of Scania Finance Australia, and we were pleased to be able to provide the funding for this purchase, tailoring the deal to meet the needs and expectations of our customer,” Scania Finance Australia country manager Wayne Thomason says.
“We are committed to making the funding of a Scania battery electric vehicle – and if required, the charger – as seamless and attractive as it is for any other product in our portfolio.
“We are very supportive of our customers moving into the BEV age and look forward to providing further financing for zero emission vehicles to Australian businesses.”
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