NZ Post “helping to reduce emissions within our road freight sector”

Scania NZ’s Director of Pre-Sales and Logistics, Rob Covich, says it is extremely satisfying to meet the bespoke requirements NZ Post had for this order and to deliver exactly what the customer wanted.

“These are the very first dedicated tractor (semi-trailer) BEV units we’ve provided in New Zealand. NZ Post had very particular specifications for this delivery – from adaptation right through to certification – including the new-built Fruehauf trailer configuration required to meet operational flexibility.”

The three BEVs, with capacity for 20 hours operation on a single charge, will run daily between NZ Post’s processing centre in Wiri and Auckland airport.

Ryan Beale, National Road Operations Manager for NZ Post, says the firm is focused on opportunities to decarbonise its fleet and the Scania BEV solution impressed from the very first meeting.

“The Scania team gave us a great deal of confidence that our specific requirements for this delivery could be met. Having the assurance that comes with dealing with a leading brand was a key consideration for us, as was the on-going customer-focus relationship by Scania.

“In time, these BEVs could well be the start of more to come for NZ Post as part of our sustainability journey. There are other vehicles in the fleet for which BEVs may be an ideal replacement in due course,” says Beale.

NZ Post Group Sustainability Manager, Dawn Baggaley, says the acquisition of the three BEV trucks also aligns with the company’s approach of testing and adopting new technologies.

“Heavy transport plays a vital role in our economy, but it’s also a significant contributor to our national emissions, so helping to reduce emissions within our road freight sector reflects NZ Post’s commitment to our people, our communities, and the environment.”

Scania Managing Director, Victor Carvalho, says his team is very proud to contribute to NZ Post’s sustainability journey.

“Scania NZ is as serious in its commitment to building a battery electric truck fleet in Aotearoa as our customers are.  Acquiring an electric truck is not just an investment in the customer’s fleet, but also in their brand and market.

“Scania prides itself on meeting all the requirements our customers set, and that is certainly the case in our relationship with NZ Post. We have been working with them for nearly two years on this project to ensure everything is done right the first time.

“It proves good things do take time, and these BEVs represent a genuine factory-led solution to sustainable transport in Aotearoa by Scania.  We hope to continue that journey with NZ Post and all our customers with an encouraging pipeline of supply coming on-line next year with our next generation of Regional BEVs.

By next year, Scania has a global goal to achieve a 20% reduction in carbon emissions of its produced vehicles compared to 2015.