In a landmark demonstration for Australia’s transport industry, toilet paper brand Who Gives A Crap has partnered with New Energy Transport (NET) and Volvo to successfully complete a zero-emission port-to-warehouse freight run. The pilot marks the first time an SME has operated heavy freight powered entirely by electricity, proving that smaller businesses can play a significant role in decarbonising road transport.
The trial saw a Volvo FM Electric prime mover transport a 40-foot container from Port Botany to Who Gives A Crap’s Yennora warehouse and back — a round trip of 88 kilometres completed in 118 minutes. The truck consumed just 120kWh of energy, using 34% of its charge, demonstrating that the route could easily be completed twice on a single charge without compromising productivity.
“Decarbonising our supply chain has been a key focus for us for several years. By the end of this year, 30% of our outbound orders through ANC will be delivered by EV, supported by new warehouse charging solutions. This latest pilot takes our ambition to the next level,” said Bernie Wiley, Head of Sustainability at Who Gives A Crap.
Wiley added, “Heavy freight is one of the hardest parts of any supply chain to decarbonise, so we wanted to partner with NET to prove it’s not just possible, but practical. The results have been incredibly promising, and we’re excited to explore how we can expand electric trucking across our network. It’s great to show that when the right technology and partners come together, sustainability doesn’t have to come at the cost of efficiency.”
For Fleet Managers, this collaboration highlights the commercial viability of electric freight. NET’s model combines low-cost renewable energy, high-speed charging, and electric prime movers to provide zero-emission freight at no extra cost compared with diesel. It’s a proof point that electrification is not limited to large corporates or government-funded trials.
NET Co-Founder Daniel Bleakley said, “We’ve proven that we’re able to operate heavy electric trucks for port cartage under the same conditions as diesel trucks, transporting the same payload in the same time across the same route — only we can do it with zero emissions, zero pollution and significantly reduced road noise.”
The demonstration offers valuable operational insights for Fleet Managers and Sustainability Managers developing emissions reduction strategies. It shows that:
- Electric heavy vehicles can achieve equivalent productivity to diesel for short-haul operations.
- Charging infrastructure at depots and warehouses enables quick turnaround and multiple trips per shift.
- Noise reduction and elimination of tailpipe emissions improve urban logistics environments.
New Energy Transport’s mission is to create a clean, resilient, and cost-effective freight network using fully electric prime movers powered by renewable energy. By offering zero-emission road freight at cost parity with diesel, NET removes a key barrier for small and medium enterprises looking to decarbonise logistics operations.
With the transport sector projected to become Australia’s largest source of emissions by 2030, and heavy vehicles responsible for nearly half of road transport pollution, initiatives like this could play a crucial role in reaching net-zero targets.
For the Finance Manager, the data points from the trial — energy use, operational duration, and charge capacity — provide a clear framework for calculating total cost of ownership and lifetime emissions savings.
For Fleet Managers, the demonstration proves that heavy-duty electric vehicles are not only technically capable but also financially practical for metropolitan and regional port operations.
For Sustainability Managers, it underscores how collaboration between OEMs, freight operators, and customers can unlock real-world emissions reductions without relying on subsidies.
Who Gives A Crap’s ongoing investment in EV freight aligns with its broader environmental mission. As a B Corp™ certified company, it donates 50% of profits to global water and sanitation projects and continues to explore ways to minimise its carbon footprint across logistics and manufacturing.
As Bleakley noted, “We’re incredibly proud to be partnering with Who Gives A Crap who are as passionate about electrifying heavy road freight as we are.”
