Maersk Performance Team has deployed its first Class 8 battery-electric trucks from Volvo Trucks North America in Southern California.
The Volvo VNR Electric trucks are designed to handle local and regional distribution with a range of up to 275 miles on a single charge.
Performance Team aims to deploy 126 Volvo Electric trucks in North America by Q3 2023.
By the end of October, the company said 30 Volvo VNR Electric trucks will be in operation – including 16 in Performance Team’s Santa Fe Springs, California distribution centre and 14 in Performance Team’s Commerce, California distribution centre.
The rest of the 126 Volvo Trucks VNR Electric order will be carried out by Q3 2023.
“Customers are looking for more tangible, sustainable options in their supply chain to satisfy their long-term climate change goals and their immediate business needs in short-haul trucking,” Jason Walker, Executive Vice President of Operations for Performance Team.
“So, we’re working closely with our partners at Volvo Trucks North America and TEC Equipment on electromobility solutions to define a new supply chain eco-chapter in our operations.”
READ: Maersk adds six 17,000 TEU green containerships to fleet
Performance Team has worked closely with the sales team at TEC Equipment – Fontana, a Volvo Trucks’ Certified EV Dealership, and Volvo Trucks North America to identify the ideal truck configurations – taking into consideration environmental factors such as speed, payload, terrain, and ambient temperature.
“Introducing any new technology into your fleet operations can come with a learning curve, which we are definitely seeing as customers make the switch from diesel to battery-electric trucks,” said Jared Ruiz, Head of electromobility sales for North America, at Volvo Trucks North America.
“It is inspiring to see our very first Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealer working side-by-side with the largest Volvo VNR Electric fleet in the world, both of which are fully committed to facilitating the widespread adoption of zero-tailpipe emission transportation solutions.”
The company’s deployment of zero-tailpipe emission Volvo VNR Electric models follows its environment, social and governance (ESG) strategy to decarbonise logistics.
Performance Team ordered 126 Volvo VNR Electric trucks earlier this year as part of an ambitious order of 450 electric trucks to support Maersk’s global decarbonisation goals.
The bill sets carbon intensity standards for fuels used by ships and sets requirements to eliminate in-port ship emissions by 2030 in a bid to protect the health of port communities, address environmental injustice, and provide solutions to the climate crisis.