TDS invests in BYD emission-free trucks

Top Delivery Services (TDS) has made a major commitment to emission-free city distribution following the purchase of 10 BYD ETM6 pure-electric eTrucks in collaboration with Bluekens EV, strategic partner and BYD eTruck dealer for the Netherlands. The vehicles will be used specifically for eco-friendly zero-emission delivery services of IKEA in Amsterdam.

René Wissink, Director of TDS, said: “TDS has already done a lot in the field of electric transport. This is an exciting development as we instantly become one of the major players in the market for emission-free distribution. The collaboration with strategic partner Bluekens EV is indispensable in this regard.”

In the search for a solution for the goal of IKEA, TDS got in touch with Bluekens EV. BYD eTruck dealer, Bluekens EV based in Breda, is an expert in emission-free city logistics and also fleet management solutions. René Wissink continued: “TDS would not have been able to take this step without Bluekens EV, being such a major name in the transport world. The organisation has enormous expertise in the field of electric transport and we have the assurance of aftersales and maintenance, all of which gives us a lot of confidence.”

As well as this knowledge, Bluekens EV also offered TDS the advantage of a 360° sales and aftersales service plan. This is enhanced further with a range of added-value services including charging infrastructure, fleet management and complete leasing solutions.

A multitude of innovative features inherent to the BYD ETM6 eTrucks makes them the ideal zero-emission vehicles to fulfil environmental goals, while also being very safe, quiet and practical for operating in high density city centres. Powered by BYD Iron-Phosphate Battery technology, the BYD ETM6 zero-emission electric truck offers the longest driving range, 200km with a full load, in the market within its 7.5 tonnes category, as well as extended battery life and high levels of safety.

TDS is a joint venture of logistic service providers comprising Holwerda Transport, Transportbedrijf P.A. van Rooyen and Brakenhoff Transport. Wissink concluded: “There is an increasing need from the customer for electric transport, a trend which has been going on for some time. As a transporter, you automatically go along with such developments, but we always try to anticipate.”

Gert-Jan Jonker, General Manager, Bluekens EV, said: “The BYD ETM6 is perfect for emission-free city logistics. Compared to most electric trucks, this model drives smoothly, has a long range for everyday use, a low TCO and fast charging technology. In addition, smart solutions for the charging infrastructure at TDS were considered in the preliminary phase. As a result, new charging facilities have been developed at one location, which will allow the surplus of solar energy from the solar panels to be used for charging.

“Bluekens EV also takes care of the fleet management, which supports TDS. It is our job to monitor the fleet, keep it running and provide insights into costs. The uptime of the vehicles should be as high as possible. In the event of a breakdown, we contact the driver and help him or her to get back on the road quickly. We initially try this by telephone, otherwise our technicians will quickly arrive on site to solve the problem.”

Mahmut Mobassit, eTruck Director, BYD Europe B.V., said: “We are proud that BYD eTrucks have been selected by such a well-known name as TDS and also for the role they will play in providing such an important zero-emission delivery service for IKEA in Amsterdam.  Quiet, clean and safe, our BYD ETM6 eTrucks embrace a new era in electric powered commercial transportation, without compromising on performance, efficiency and practicality. Together with our partner in the Netherlands, Bluekens EV, we are pleased to support TDS with a comprehensive aftersales service and fleet management solution to continually elevate operating efficiencies, in the knowledge that our eTrucks are being sympathetic to the environment.”