Unilever Australia partners with New Energy Transport for its first EV commercial freight delivery

Unilever Australia is working with New Energy Transport (NET) as its inaugural electric vehicle (EV) commercial freight partner, introducing a Volvo heavy electric prime mover for selected deliveries from its Ingleburn warehouse to customer sites across Sydney. This is part of the company’s transition towards net zero emissions across its value chain by 2039.

The partnership marks an important step in understanding how electric transport can meet the reliability and service expectations of a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) supply chain in Australia.

NET will provide Unilever with a Volvo heavy electric prime mover and ongoing operational support, reflecting a broader momentum in the sector as electrification becomes economically and operationally viable. The EV will operate on selected local transport routes within Unilever’s customer network in Sydney.

Brooke Sprott, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Unilever ANZ, said, “Decarbonising heavy freight transport is one of the most complex challenges in our supply chain, and it’s not something any company can solve alone. That’s why we are proud to be a foundation partner of New Energy Transport and utilise their first heavy electric prime mover in Australia. This partnership is an important step in accelerating progress towards net zero emissions across our value chain.

“This reflects Unilever’s broader leadership in decarbonisation, supported by operational emissions reductions already in place across our Australian factories through energy-efficient initiatives.”

Fredrik Pehrsson, Co-CEO, New Energy Transport, said: “New Energy Transport is proud to be partnering with Unilever and Volvo to make electric heavy road freight a reality in Australia. This is a major milestone as we take the keys to our first truck and bring our first customer onto the road.”

Pictured from left to right: Glen Thoms, Supply Chain Director, Unilever; Brooke Sprott, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Unilever; Dan Bleakley, Co-CEO, New Energy Transport; Fredrik Pehrsson, Co-CEO, New Energy Transport; Roger Alm, Executive Vice President of Volvo Group and President of Volvo Trucks; and Martin Merrick, President, Volvo Group Australia. Image: Supplied