Ceva Logistics, a leading global logistics company, has announced its ambitious plans to expand its fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) to 1,450 by the end of 2025.
The announcement was made during the 2023 Transport Logistic show in Munich, where Ceva showcased its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
In line with its sustainability goals, the company’s expansion strategy includes deploying 1,000 delivery vans, 300 straight trucks, and 150 tractor units across its dedicated fleet operations, less-than-truckload (LTL) services, last-mile pickup and delivery operations, and special projects like the European Clean Transport Network. By increasing its EV fleet, Ceva aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by approximately 67,000 tonnes per year. This reduction is equivalent to the emissions generated by 30,000 round trips made by a truck between Paris and Munich.
Ceva is adopting an “asset right” approach to its EV fleet strategy. Alongside the vehicles in its employee-driven operating model, Ceva will facilitate the transition to EVs for some of its dedicated subcontractors. In shared user networks, where trucks are not exclusively assigned to a particular customer, Ceva plans to sell certified CO2 savings to customers, further supporting its investment in the EV fleet.
The decision to expand the EV fleet is built upon Ceva’s existing experience in operating electric vehicles. The company has already gained expertise by operating over 200 EV vans through its subsidiary, Colis Privé, and more than 20 EV trucks across various continents. For instance, Ceva has successfully operated seven JAC iEV1200T electric box trucks in its Ground fleet in Brazil since the end of 2021. These EVs have a range of 200 kilometers per charge and a load capacity of 3.5 tonnes. In just one year, these trucks have covered over 14,000 kilometers and transported more than 150,000 packages. The annual savings from these EVs amount to 56 tonnes of CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to preserving over 1,600 trees each year.
Ceva’s commitment to expanding its EV fleet extends beyond Brazil. The company is also increasing its EV presence in Thailand to support Decathlon, a prominent sporting goods retailer. Ceva and Decathlon began collaborating in Thailand in 2021 for nationwide ground distribution. Initially starting with one electric van, the fleet now consists of three electric vans and two EVO G9 electric straight trucks. In 2023, two more G9 trucks are expected to join the fleet.
Ceva’s efforts to reduce emissions and pursue sustainable logistics extend beyond its EV fleet. The company is implementing other initiatives in its Ground operations, such as scaling up the use of biogas and biofuels, testing hydrogen fuel cell technology and other low-carbon trucks, and transitioning eligible full-truckload shipments to rail solutions.
In 2022, Ceva announced a sustainability commitment for its warehouses, many of which support its Ground operations. The company plans to triple the surface area of its solar panels through a joint investment of $180 million by the end of 2025. Additionally, Ceva aims to power all of its warehouses with low-carbon electricity and install 100 percent LED lighting in its warehouses by the end of 2023.
”An EV fleet of this size is a significant, tangible step in our journey towards a more sustainable future. This major investment is enabled by the expertise of our Ground & Rail teams, as well as the commitment of the CMA CGM Group and of our customers. This decision exemplifies both our relentless focus on finding better ways to transport our customers’ goods and the desire of our Ceva colleagues to reduce emissions across our logistics operations. Change can be difficult sometimes, but innovating and learning are fun and benefit our planet, while also motivating our teams. We believe in the future of EVs, and we’re committed to making that future happen.” said Xavier Bour, global ground leader, Ceva Logistics.
