EXPRESS delivery business Federal Express Corporation has announced the introduction of 55 electric vehicles (EVs) to its parcel pickup and delivery fleet in Australia.
The vehicles comprise of Fuso eCanter trucks and Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans, which are to operate in pickup and delivery services across metropolitan areas.
The initial rollout is to start in Adelaide with the introduction of 15 Fuso eCanter trucks.
This is said to mark 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 newly deployed electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, said to make them ideal for daily parcel pickup and delivery.
The Fuso eCanter trucks are estimated to avoid up to 13.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide tailpipe emissions per vehicle annually when travelling 30,000 kilometres compared with diesel models.
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,” said FedEx Australasia regional vice president Peter Langley.
“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.
Mr Langley said as e-commerce grew and consumers became more environmentally conscious, embracing electric vehicles was a strategic imperative.
“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,” he said.