Melbourne headquartered logistics firm Toll Group says it has delivered two new Volvo FM battery electric prime movers to supermarket giant Coles in Perth.
Toll unveiled the two new Volvo FM battery electric prime movers to the Coles Kewdale Distribution Centre in Perth, marking what the company said was a “key milestone” for Toll and Coles towards building a more sustainable grocery delivery network.
The two new battery electric prime movers will replace conventional diesel-powered trucks and are expected to abate approximately 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions per vehicle each year as they carry out up to 52 deliveries to Coles stores across Perth each week.
Each truck boasts a range of up to 270 kilometres on a single charge as well as quieter operations, an often-unrecognised benefit for the drivers.
A dedicated dual-power 180 kW charging station has also been installed at the Kewdale Distribution Centre.
“Our commitment to a more sustainable logistics future isn’t possible without the support of our key customers,” said Nick Vrckovski, president of retail & consumer at Toll.
The delivery of battery electric trucks to Coles is part of Toll’s larger $67 million investment in battery electric heavy vehicles and charging infrastructure that has been co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) through its ‘Driving the Nation’ program.
Financial backing from ARENA was announced in late 2024 and promised the deployment of 18 Volvo electric prime movers and 10 Volvo electric rigid trucks, as well as charging infrastructure for 30 charging ports.
Toll recently introduced a Volvo FM battery electric prime mover for Primary Connect, part of the Woolworths Group, which will be operating out of the company’s Moorebank Distribution Centre in New South Wales.
And last month, Toll unveiled two new Volvo FMe Electric 6×4 Prime Movers that were introduced into the company’s supply chain fleet to support client BlueScope Steel with their freight and warehousing capabilities.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
