## Woolworths Accelerates Fleet Electrification with Foton E-Trucks
Woolworths, a leading Australian supermarket chain, is significantly expanding its commitment to sustainability by integrating 60 electric commercial vehicles – the Foton T5 model – into its delivery network. This initiative leverages an innovative “Electric Vehicle-as-a-Service” (EVaaS) model provided by Zenobē, a UK-based company specializing in electric vehicle fleet solutions and battery technology. The five-year leasing agreement is bolstered by a commitment of up to $6 million from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), Australia’s “Green Bank” [[1]].
### Last-Mile Delivery goes Electric
The primary focus of this deployment will be on last-mile deliveries to Woolworths stores across New South Wales and Victoria. The Foton T5, a compact truck measuring six meters in length, is ideally suited for navigating urban environments and efficiently servicing retail locations. This move is part of a larger, ambitious plan by Woolworths to fully electrify its entire fleet of approximately 3,000 vehicles before the end of the decade [[1]].The partnership with Zenobē, established in 2024, is a key component of achieving this goal.
### Driving National Emobility Forward
woolworths has long been a vocal advocate for a robust national electric vehicle strategy in Australia. As early as 2022, the company joined forces with nearly 100 other organizations – including automotive giants like BMW and BYD, rental companies such as Hertz and Sixt, and major retailers like Ikea and Microsoft – to form the Electric Vehicle Council. This private alliance actively lobbies the Australian government for policies that accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure [[1]].Currently, electric vehicle adoption in Australia is around 8.4% of new car sales (as of Q1 2024), demonstrating a growing, but still developing, market.
### A Collaborative Approach to Fleet Transition
Henri Le Comte, Head of Partnerships at Homerun (Woolworths Group), emphasized the significance of the Zenobē partnership, stating that it will facilitate the integration of an additional 60 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and introduce a novel charging solution to the Australian market. He highlighted that this collaboration allows Woolworths to rapidly expand its electric fleet, contributing to quieter and cleaner operations, and hopes to inspire other businesses to invest in electric mobility [[1]].
Gareth Ridge, Country Director of Electric Vehicle Fleets at Zenobē, explained that CEFC’s support is instrumental in providing woolworths with both the electric trucks and the necessary charging infrastructure. zenobē’s EVaaS model simplifies the transition to an electric fleet by handling upfront costs and the complexities of electrification, allowing Woolworths to focus on its core retail business [[1]]. This approach is becoming increasingly popular as companies seek to reduce the financial and logistical burdens associated with transitioning to lasting transportation solutions.