Last-mile delivery specialist ANC and rental, leasing and fleet management company have announced they’ve joined forces to celebrate World Electric Vehicle Day on Friday 9th September, with a strategic partnership that they say is designed to help ANC achieve zero-carbon last mile delivery.
The companies say that to celebrate Orix has supported ANC in adding a new EV truck, nicknamed ‘BESTe’ to its fleet.
ANC says it is already on the road to zero-carbon last mile delivery and BESTe, a SEA BEV (battery electric vehicle) pantech truck, will drive that ambition further with its sustainable offering.
The companies say that the BESTe truck boasts a 240km range and is also fast-charge ready, thanks to its three-phase charging socket, making it more convenient, and removing the barrier to expensive charging equipment.
BESTe’s first mission for ANC is to deliver for Williams-Sonoma in Australia.
Williams-Sonoma is the world’s largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer.
The company’s products, representing distinct merchandise brands including Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, and Mark and Graham are marketed through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores.
BESTe will also help support the sustainability goals of other ANC clients, with the company making the EV truck available on a month-to-month basis to any of its clients keen to act on their goals.
“Customers are thinking more and more about their contribution to a more sustainable future and we’re happy to assist in this way,” said Mo Abbas, ANC group executive, marketing and strategy.
“The addition of BESTe will reinforce ANC’s commitment to breaking down the top four barriers to adoption in the last mile sector, “ he said.
“World EV Day is the perfect time to introduce BESTe, we’re already on the road to zero-carbon last mile thanks to some very strong partnerships and we’re thrilled that Orix has such an impressive solution to help us overcome these last-mile barriers.”
Orix says it specialises in the rental, acquisition, financing and management of vehicles, including electric ones, and adds that it is committed to supporting businesses that are dedicated to decarbonising their fleet.
“We’re excited to support ANC by providing sustainable, integrated fleet solutions for their transport needs,” said mobility general m anager for ORIX Rental, Grant Harrison.
“We recognise our role is to use our expertise to assist clients in identifying solutions that reduce their environmental impact and embed more sustainable practices without compromising their business operations, and BESTe is the ideal solution for ANC as it works towards offering a zero-carbon last mile,” he added.
ANC says it is an early adopter of sustainable practices, with green vehicles in its fleet already sequestering more than 110 tonnes of carbon emissions.
“We have committed to growing this fleet both in size and type as we seek to reimagine the last mile,” Abbas explained.
“At ANC we believe this is part of our obligation to enable a more sustainable delivery option. World EV day is a global movement where companies aim to drive change, together. As we’re in the business of delivering, taking action to decarbonise our fleet is very important, “ he said.
”This goal benefits everyone, and it’s important to partner with companies such as ORIX to create a greener and more sustainable world for future generations,” he added.
Orix says it can provide organisations with either Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV) and hybrid options for assessment for either lease or rental.
“This is an excellent way for organisations to find out if electric vehicles are suitable for their business, before they make any significant commitments,” Harrison said.
“ORIX is committed to integrating sustainability into all areas of the decision-making and solutions it offers to clients and our rental option is a popular and effective one,” he said.
“All our relationships, including our one with ANC, is based on an alignment of values, and on a mutual understanding of the need to act to reduce our respective footprints,” Harrison concluded.