Lafarge Africa Plc, in partnership with Tolaram, has introduced electric trucks into its supply chain fleet to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
This comes as part of the company’s ‘Accelerating Green Mobility’ strategy by actively pursuing the deployment of cutting- edge technologies that enhance efficiency, customer experience, and significantly reduce the carbon footprint within its supply chain.
Speaking at the launch of the trucks at the company’s Ewekoro factory, GMD/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, stated that the introduction of the Electric Vehicles (EV) mark a significant shift towards a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable supply chain, adding that this strategic move not only benefits the environment but also holds immense promise for all stakeholders.
Lolu Alade-Akinyemi said the journey towards a more sustainable future began years ago with a vision to integrate environmentally friendly practices into every aspect of our operations. This vision has guided us through a series of significant milestones that have reshaped the landscape of our supply chain.”
He emphasised that the drivers, who are fundamental to the company’s operations, will now have the opportunity to operate technologically advanced vehicles that contribute to a healthier planet.
Highlighting the advantages, he pointed out that the electric trucks are not only quieter, smoother, and easier to operate, but also ensure better working conditions and safety for the drivers. He also anticipates that this pioneering move will lead to enhanced efficiency and an improved customer experience.
In his remarks, the Logistics Director, Lafarge Africa Plc, Osaze Aghatise, said: “The introduction of the electric trucks signifies an important achievement in our logistics strategy, signalling our transition to more eco-friendly and sustainable transportation practices.
“Our aim is to incorporate more EV into our fleet in the near future alongside our exploration of other sustainable transportation initiatives. This exemplifies our unwavering dedication to taking a leadership role within our industry, fostering the development of a competitive and sustainable supply chain.”
Aghatise noted that Lafarge Africa has made remarkable strides. “In 2017, we took the first step by introducing five Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks into our fleet, marking the inception of our sustainability initiative. Building upon this success, we amplified our efforts in 2021 by integrating an additional 50 CNG trucks into our operations, signalling our steadfast commitment to reducing our carbon footprint,” he said.
“These electric trucks have an impressive range, capable of travelling up to 200 kilometres on a single charge. It will primarily operate from Lafarge’s Ewekoro plant, making it well-suited for urban and suburban product distribution.”
