ARLINGTON, Texas — Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) customer Fleetmaster Express, a for-hire logistics carrier, has ordered 10 Volvo VNR Electrics to support supply chain sustainability efforts for Ball Corporation, a company that recycles aluminum beverage packaging.
According to a news release, Fleetmaster Express will begin operating its first two battery-electric trucks in Q2 2022, making them the first Volvo VNR Electric trucks to operate in Texas.
The eight additional Volvo VNR Electrics will be delivered in early 2023.
The announcement was made at a media event hosted by Fleetmaster Express and Ball Corporation at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Monday, May 23.
“It is fantastic to see our three brands unite around the common goal of making the world a better place to live. We commend Fleetmaster Express and Ball Corporation for their commitment to sustainable operations with the integration of the first Class 8 battery-electric trucks in the state of Texas,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America.
“We are excited about introducing the Volvo VNR Electric to this new market and working with our dealers Nacarato Truck Centers in Virginia and Bruckner’s Truck and Equipment in Texas to continue to expand decarbonized transportation.”
The Volvo VNR Electric trucks will be used to haul finished aluminum cans on approximately 8-mile runs around Fort Worth from Ball Corporation’s distribution center, averaging 10 to 15 trips per day. To support the charging of its battery-electric fleet, Fleetmaster Express has installed charging infrastructure at its Fort Worth facility.
“We aspire to make a bold reduction of our carbon footprint to further provide our customers and consumers with low-carbon and truly circular aluminum packaging options,” said Adam Shalapin, global sustainability director at Ball Corporation. “This project will drive progress on Ball’s commitment to reducing our absolute value chain emissions 16% by 2030 and brings us one step closer to achieving net zero carbon emissions prior to 2050.”
Fleetmaster Express, founded in 1987 by Bill B. Bumgarner, operates more than 300 trucks and 1,300 trailers with locations in Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Arkansas, Texas, Georgia, Indiana, Tennessee and Wisconsin, the news release stated.
The two Volvo VNR Electrics are the first battery-electric Class 8 trucks in its fleet, and “a key first step toward the goal of replacing all Fleetmaster Express’ existing trucks with zero tailpipe-emission battery-electric trucks in the future,” according to the news release.
“Fleetmaster Express has always had bold fleet sustainability goals and has been an EPA SmartWay Transport Partner for more than a decade,” said Travis Smith, chief operating officer, of Fleetmaster Express. “Deploying zero-tailpipe emission Volvo VNR Electrics is the next big step in our effort to create the most sustainable, energy-efficient fleet possible.”
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