Following a thorough evaluation of multiple electric service vehicles, we ultimately opted for the Volkswagen (VW) ID. Buzz Cargo. “The benefits of the ID. Buzz are its range in every season, its spaciousness, the level of comfort it offers our service technicians, and its outstanding value for money,” says Daniel Spiess, Project Manager for Electrification. And that’s not all: the brand is also a good fit for V-ZUG. Since 1971, we have primarily used VW commercial vehicles, and the purchase of the ID. Buzz service vehicles is a sustainable continuation of this long-term partnership. Another 32 blue ID. Buzz Cargo vans will be on the roads from 2024. By 2030, we want to transition our entire fleet of 300 service vehicles to electric propulsion.
In the autumn of the reporting year, the time had finally come: V-ZUG not only took receipt of five more fully electric service vehicles, but also its first electric lorry. The gradual electrification of our company fleet, which covers almost six million kilometres every year, is an important element of our sustainability strategy. This is because e-mobility is a key factor in our journey towards our goal of reducing our direct emissions by 80% by 2030.
More than 80% of journeys already covered
The electric lorry, on the other hand, is a 490 kW Volvo FM Electric. Its batteries are modular so they can be recycled. The electric lorry is charged overnight in Zug using 100% hydroelectric power from Switzerland. Because the acquisition costs are still much higher than for a conventional diesel lorry, the internal CO₂ fund is contributing CHF 200,000 towards the additional costs of this environmentally conscious purchase. “This is another important example of how our self-imposed CO₂ management levy makes more sustainable projects possible,” enthuses Marcel Niederberger, Head of Sustainability at V-ZUG. Other V-ZUG employees are also impressed by the electric lorry. “We were positively surprised by its range, and we already use it for more than 80% of our journeys,” says Bruno Villiger, Head of Distribution Logistics. “I was slightly sceptical at first, but the first test drive was all it took to convince me of its performance and comfort,” says lorry driver Patrick Blunschi. When it comes to e-mobility, we rely on our established partnership with AMAG. AMAG doesn’t just help us purchase and maintain the electric vehicles – its subsidiary Helion is also responsible for installing the necessary charging infrastructure at our service technicians’ homes. This means we get the full range of services from a single source. That’s how you do e-mobility properly.