Electric light vehicles bringing councils closer to net-zero

Light vehicle fleets are imperative to keeping day-to-day council tasks moving, driving around suburban areas with ease and running errands to service the community. However as fuel prices boom, and climate change becomes a reality, the days of the diesel truck may be numbered – especially with the new iBlue truck, powered by electricity, in town.

Akey focus for local governments is reducing fleet costs, from fuel to maintenance – but the idea of electric vehicles often ends up in the ‘too hard’ basket.

Foton Mobility Distribution (FMD), which specialises in making zero-emission vehicles, is aiming to transform fleets nationwide and make electric fleets commonplace.

FMD has recently launched the Electric Light Duty Truck, the iBlue, which is purpose-built for the Australian market. The iBlue features a 4.5t GVM/6t GVM dual configuration, making the vehicle well suited to any number of applications.

The truck features world-leading CATL battery technology (with R100 Certification), promising to deliver a smoother, quieter ride, with all the inherent safety features required in modern fleets – whilst also protecting employees from harmful emissions.

Over the warranty life of the iBlue Light Duty Electric truck, councils can expect to reduce their CO2 emissions by an average of 24,000kg per truck, making those net-zero goals seem closer than ever.

Seeing blue: the iBlue launches

The iBlue is the first truck of its type to be available in quantity, to meet the needs of last-mile delivery and logistics operators and councils looking for a zero-emissions alternative for existing ICE vehicles.

With the right-hand drive production line set to deliver the first of approximately 45 trucks before the last quarter of 2022, the iBlue is going to be very visible on Australian roads soon.

The fully imported cab-chassis can accommodate either a pantech body, or tray body in various configurations, and importantly, due to its dual registration capability, can be driven on a standard drivers licence; assisting operators and users to overcome the current shortage of licensed truck drivers.

Kick-start sustainable savings

With a range of up to 200km (subject to driving conditions), the iBlue Light Duty truck presents an immediate opportunity for councils to give their sustainability journey a kick-start, by reducing fleet emissions, setting an example for their communities, and reducing operating costs.

With Petrol and Diesel prices predicted to remain high for the foreseeable future, the iBlue Light Duty Electric truck offers substantial savings over the life of the unit, and together with its lower maintenance costs, will more than offset the initial higher acquisition cost.

Ongoing support after purchase

The iBlue Light Duty truck is an investment that comes with in-built support, in the form of a five year and/or 200,000km warranty, five years of National Roadside Assist, and an after sales support network in all major capital cities.

If the truck is ever in need of repair, Foton’s Head Office and Distribution Centre at Smeaton Grange in Sydney will hold a significant inventory of spare parts to further support its customers, with the spare part inventory increasing over time as iBlue trucks move onto roads.

Saying goodbye to ‘charging anxiety’

The iBlue can be charged in both slow and fast charge modes, taking approximately 12 hours and 1.5 hours respectively.

FMD can also supply its own range of ‘ChargeGreen’ charging units from the smaller 11kw and 22kw units, to the larger 160kw unit, suitable for both large and small fleet applications.

Foton’s ‘ChargeGreen’ chargers are built to the highest standards, and are extremely price competitive, thus offering further advantages to councils and shires looking to make the transition to an electrified fleet.

FMD can also provide assistance in scoping out the depot changes needed in order to move towards a zero emissions future.

This is a sponsored editorial brought to you by Foton Mobility Distribution. To view the iBlue Light Duty Electric truck in action, go to: www.ibluetruck.com.au