Maersk Expands Zero Operational Emissions Fleet with Orders of Electric Trucks from Volvo Trucks
Warehousing and distribution company Performance Team – A Maersk Company, announced today an order for 16 Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 trucks. The order marks the largest to date for the first zero-tailpipe emission, battery-electric model, and its kind for the Performance Team fleet.
The new trucks are designed for local and regional freight distribution and they will be carrying regional loads across Southern California.
According to Maersk, the agreement forms part of the company’s ESG strategy to decarbonize logistics. Last week, the company announced an order for 8 large ocean-going container vessels capable of being operated on carbon-neutral methanol, to be built by shipbuilding company Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).
Jason Walker, Executive Vice President of Operations of Performance Team – A Maersk Company, said:
“We’re seeing a 30% growth rate in our Warehousing and Distribution business. Customers are looking for more truck power to meet high volume delivery demands. This new order of Volvo VNR Electric trucks will give us firsthand experience on their performance carrying regional loads and environmental benefits. Our findings will help determine next steps in our fleet modernization and the electric infrastructure necessary for future operations.”
Volvo has been actively expanding its portfolio of electric trucks and solutions for fossil-free transport. In November 2020, the company announced the launch of a line of all-electric heavy-duty trucks, providing the company with a full range of battery-electric trucks for distribution, refuse, regional transport, and urban construction operations.
Peter Voorhoeve, President of Volvo Trucks North America, said:
“The shift toward electrification is an exciting time in the commercial truck space and Performance Team is leading the way with its largest order of the only battery-electric Class 8 model in scalable serial production today. Through its commitment to deploy 16 Volvo VNR Electrics by the end of 2021, Performance Team has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, and this is another great step forward in reducing the trucking industry’s overall carbon footprint.”