Rebro Transport takes delivery of Volvo FE Electric

For shunting work and the distribution of packages for DPD, Rebro Transport from Rucphen recently took delivery of a Volvo FE Electric. Especially the sustainable character of the emission-free FE Electric was reason for Rebro to invest in an electric solution. Moreover, the truck was produced ex-factory so that everything is optimally tuned to each other. The truck was delivered by Volvo Trucks dealer Bluekens Truck and Bus in Roosendaal: a partner that Rebro has worked with for many years. 

Rebro Transport is convinced that sustainable enterprise is the key to ensuring its right to exist as a company. For example, the company deals sustainably with staff to increase commitment and sustainable employability and takes concrete, visible measures, such as solar panels on the company premises.

"We chose an electric vehicle because, as a company, we like to reduce our CO₂-emissions. We have a sustainability ambition that translates into all facets of our business in order to be future-proof. So also our fleet. An electric truck is a next step that fits within these ambitions," explains Roy Rens co-owner of Rebro Transport. 

Multipurpose deployment for DPD

The Volvo FE Electric is equipped as a 6×2. The truck is fitted with a fully electrically operated bodywork from Hertoghs Carrosserieën and will be used by Rebro Transport for DPD. During the night shift, Rebro will use the vehicle as a shunting vehicle at DPD's Etten-Leur location. During the day, the electric truck will be used to transport swap bodies, mainly from the Etten-Leur region to DPD's Hub in Oirschot. 

The truck is specially equipped with an additional third seat. "This allows us to provide training with this Volvo FE Electric as well. This multi-purpose deployment is going to ensure that we and all our employees gain an awful lot of experience working with an electric truck and thus being prepared for the future," explains Roy Rens. 

Charging plaza in development

Charging is done via DPD's charging station. In addition, Rebro is developing a charging plaza at the Rucphen location. "We now have a number of solar panels on our premises and in the new development this will be further expanded," Roy Rens explains. 

In addition to sustainability and ex-factory production, experience with the Volvo Trucks brand and cooperation with the dealer were reasons to choose Volvo's electric solution. "We specifically chose Volvo because we already have years of experience with this brand, the Volvo FE is extremely suitable for multifunctional use and we have a good cooperation with Bluekens Truck and Bus," explains Roy Rens

Despite high price, still LNG 

To reduce CO₂ to save money, Rebro Transport is turning to LNG in addition to electric. The company now has 20 LNG trucks. Although the price of LNG is currently high, Rebro continues to believe in LNG. 

"We have a long-term vision regarding sustainable deployment of our vehicles. Despite the currently temporarily high price of LNG, we believe in this fuel as an (intermediate) solution in long-distance transport. We will therefore continue to invest in LNG despite the TCO now rising. In the long term, the profit is greater than the short-term loss on the LNG kilometre price. We have set ourselves the goal that by 2022 25% of our fleet should be sustainably powered. We currently have 20 LNG trucks; 2 more LNG trucks will be delivered at the same time as the delivery of the Volvo FE Electric. As a result, we have more than met our target (with 23 trucks). I'm guessing that by using LNG we will save about 550 tons of CO₂ saved over 2021. Such savings cannot be matched by any other alternative now available for the longer distance, " Roy Rens concludes. 

In addition to the Volvo FE Electric, Rebro Transport will also take delivery of a Volvo FH Electric 4×2 tractor unit at the end of this year and a Volvo FH Electric 6×2 rigid truck in spring 2023. All trucks will be delivered by Volvo Trucks dealer Bluekens Truck and Bus.