The electric truck transition is no longer a distant ambition—it’s happening on Australia’s freight corridors, right now. With Volvo leading the industry in heavy vehicle electrification, a new partnership between Ofload and Kimberly-Clark Australia (KCA) provides another powerful example of how transport operators are embracing the business case for zero-emission logistics.
The launch of KCA’s first electric truck, a Volvo FL Electric, represents more than just a one-off trial. This is a fully integrated deployment across daily freight routes, backed by Ofload’s data-driven logistics platform, and a clear signal that the freight industry is shifting from planning to action.
“This isn’t just about one electric truck on the road,” said Geoffroy Henry, CEO of Ofload. “It marks a pivotal moment where we prove the viability, efficiency, and significant carbon reductions that electric freight can deliver at scale. This is the future of logistics, and we’re leading the way.”
Freight is Doing What Light Fleet Isn’t
While many organisations are still trialling light electric vehicles with limited commitment to volume deployment, the freight sector is accelerating. With accurate data on vehicle use, routes, fuel consumption, and emissions, logistics operators can make the business case for change—and justify the investment.
A key factor pushing this transformation is emissions reporting. For large transport users like KCA, having clear and credible Scope 3 emissions data is critical to meeting sustainability targets and preparing for future climate-related disclosure requirements.
“Our freight partnership with Ofload is a key lever within our supply chain and we’re proud to partner with them on this transformative project,” said Jessica Renton, Head of Supply Chain ANZ at Kimberly-Clark.
One Truck, Big Impact
The statistics are striking. A single diesel B-double truck running from Melbourne to Brisbane emits 3.9 tonnes of CO₂. That’s more than an average household emits over two and a half months. Swapping just one of these for an electric truck immediately reduces emissions without changing delivery schedules or operational models.
This Volvo FL Electric will be leased from TR Group, a fleet leasing specialist already at the forefront of low-emission truck deployment, including recent trials of hydrogen trucks. The electric truck is integrated into Brisbane Transport’s fleet and will run key freight routes for Kimberly-Clark, proving the value of electric vehicles in real-world, high-volume logistics.
Enabling Smaller Carriers to Go Electric
For smaller carriers, the transition to electric vehicles can seem financially daunting. But this initiative shows how the right partnerships and modelling can make it viable.
Ofload used commercial modelling tools to analyse factors such as vehicle utilisation, kilometre range, driver hours, and revenue margins—demonstrating that electric trucks can deliver operational value as well as emissions reductions.
By connecting small and medium carriers with national shippers and providing utilisation guarantees, Ofload is helping reduce the risk for operators ready to try zero-emission transport.
The Digital Tools That Make It Work
This partnership is built on more than trucks—it’s powered by data. Kimberly-Clark adopted Ofload’s Carbon Analytics Platform (CAP) in 2024 to track and manage its transport emissions. Using GLEC-accredited calculations, the platform delivers real-time visibility across the supply chain and enables decisions that reduce emissions without compromising business performance.
In 2024, KCA cut its emissions by 5.23%, avoiding 3,544 tonnes of CO₂. That’s equivalent to the electricity usage of 670 Australian households or 22,000 car trips between Sydney and Brisbane.
Freight Industry Moves First
Volvo has been announcing new deliveries every month in Australia, and this momentum shows that the freight industry understands its carbon footprint—and the opportunities to reduce it. Unlike light vehicle fleets still stuck in pilot mode, logistics operators like Ofload and Kimberly-Clark are scaling up.
The difference? Data, application clarity, and emissions reporting requirements. These are the tools that enable confident investment. And with platforms like Ofload’s CAP and DataVerse—Australia’s first platform aggregating national freight emissions data—operators are not only reducing emissions, but also preparing for future regulatory changes.
As climate-related financial disclosures and Scope 3 reporting become mandatory, many fleets will be forced to catch up. The freight sector, however, is getting ahead—turning compliance into competitive advantage.
This latest move by Ofload, Kimberly-Clark and Volvo isn’t just symbolic. It’s a real-world deployment that offers a blueprint for others. With the support of TR Group, national carrier networks, and transparent emissions tracking, the business case for electric trucks is now proven.
Fleets that delay risk being left behind. Freight has shown the way—now it’s time for light vehicle fleets to stop trialling and start transitioning.
