THE WHAT? Unilever has added one of the world’s first heavy-duty electric trucks to its fleet. The 44-tonne Volvo truck will run entirely on renewable power and is the first HGeV to meet the UK-based FMCG supplier’s business need thanks to its 540kWh battery capacity and 185-mile range.

THE DETAILS The company has invested in high-power charging infrastructure at its Tiel distribution center in the Netherlands to allow for recharging for this truck and those4 added to the fleet in the future.

THE WHY? If the pilot is successful, the use of HGeVs will be an important step, enabling Unilever to meet its value chain goal of net zero by 2039. The manufacturer of Dove said that its logistics sustainability strategy has two key objectives: reducing the distances driven and ‘greening’ those miles that can’t be avoided.

Michelle Grose, Unilever Head of Global Logistics, commented, “Electrification of our transport and distribution activities is at the heart of Unilever’s logistics sustainability strategy. This launch represents a significant step forward in putting that strategy into action and marks a milestone towards more and more electrification in Europe.”