Usually, Volvo Compact Excavators are distributed from Belley to customers using a conventional truck. With the trial set-up, the machines have been transported from Belley to a logistics center near Lyon using a 100% electric Volvo FH Electric truck, fully optimizing the loading capacity. From Lyon, the excavators could be more easily dispatched to continue the journey to the customer.
A new approach
Volvo Group has the ambition to reduce its indirect Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, a target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. The trial also proves that a holistic net zero value chain requires innovative collaborations and tailored solutions that are a step beyond the initial introduction of electric technology.
Hui-I Tsai, Head of Global Outbound Logistics at Volvo CE, said: “This project contributes to reduced CO2 emissions during the initial transportation of our products and is another milestone in our efforts to achieve a more sustainable operation. In addition, since transporters have been able to pick up our machines more frequently, we have seen a reduction in the amount of stock in our yard.”
Ghislain Fantou, Production Logistics Purchasing at Volvo Group Truck Operations, said: “As a leader in logistics transport, we have a clear objective to reduce CO2 together with our contracted carriers. To do this, we identify opportunities in our processes where we could introduce electric transport, particularly for such short-distance round-trip flows.”
Rethinking logistics
The solution has been demonstrated by loading compact excavators – which could have included Volvo CE’s zero-emission solutions such as the EC18 Electric, ECR18 Electric and ECR25 Electric – onto electric trucks for the first leg of their journey. The e-shuttle service has been operating between Belley and a logistics center near Lyon.
The joint initiative is a testament to the companies’ shared commitment towards driving sustainability and innovation across the transportation sector and supporting customers with tailored logistics solutions.
