Volta Trucks, the start-up manufacturer of the full-electric Volta Zero, has confirmed that Belux-based VPD Transport and Logistics will trial and purchase the Volta Zero as part of its drive towards decarbonizing its distribution fleet. VPD Transport and Logistics already operates over 100 vehicles, from trucks to Cargo Bikes, but the Volta Zero is the first full-electric large commercial vehicle to enter its operations.
With over 50 years of experience, and more than 150 employees, VPD Transport and Logistics provides store pick-up and fulfillment services to household names such as IKEA, Media Markt, Whirlpool, Haier, EasyKit, and Meubella. Its multi-hub network has operations in Ghent, Antwerp, Luik, Zellik, Zonhoven and Luxemburg.
Ecologically responsible solution
On one hand, already put a lot of effort into an electric fleet, from e-cargo bikes to e-scooters"
Confirming the trial and purchase of Volta Zero vehicles, Dirk Van Peteghem, Chief Executive Officer of VPD Transport and Logistics, said; “At VPD, we care a lot about the environment. On the one hand, we’ve already put a lot of effort into an electric fleet, from e-cargo bikes to e-scooters, for our last-mile deliveries in the heart of cities."
He adds, "Now, with Volta Trucks, we want to offer an ecologically responsible solution for our last-mile delivery of larger goods such as kitchens, furniture, etc., which can’t be delivered with our e-cargo bikes. At VPD, we want to be the frontrunner in the field of ecological last-mile deliveries, so we are really looking forward to the Volta Zero!”
Distribution and delivery of large goods
Chief Executive Officer of Volta Trucks, Rob Fowler, continued; “I’m delighted to welcome VPD Transport and Logistics to the trial of the Volta Zero, and for the purchase of a vehicle when we start production in 2022. Being mainly focused on the distribution and delivery of large goods like furniture, VPD Transport and Logistics has a different use case from many of the trial customers we have previously announced."
He adds, "This means that the forthcoming trial will provide us with a yet more diverse data set from the operational use of the vehicle, that will feed into the ongoing development of the production-specification vehicle.”