Australia’s heavy truck market has reached another important milestone, with 3PL New Energy Transport taking delivery of its first Volvo FH Electric semi truck, and putting it to work immediately in downtown Sydney.

Operating from the Unilever distribution center in Sydney, Australia, the new Volvo VH Electric prime mover semi truck will deliver Unilever products across the Sydney metro area routes as the company tests the viability of battery electric vehicles in heavy freight. It’s also the first truck put into service under a new Volvo Financial Services arrangement with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) designed to reduce the cost of leasing heavy electric trucks in Australia.

And, for their part, the New Energy Transport execs are excited to put the heavy-duty BEV into service.

“With Unilever on board, we couldn’t have asked for a better foundation customer,” explains Fredrik Pehrsson, Co-CEO, New Energy Transport. “Unilever is one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, and its decision to put electric trucks to work in Sydney is an example of real leadership … electric road freight means lower costs, greater reliability and a real cut in emissions, and it’s brands like Unilever that will drive the shift at scale, decarbonizing their supply chains while delivering greater efficiency.”