Sheldon’s First Electric Truck Hits the Road

We’re accelerating our commitment to sustainable operations

We are proud to announce our first electric truck has joined our fleet of vehicles – and it’s the first Hyundai MIGHTY Electric to hit the road for an Australian business.

The truck, ‘Zero CO2’, will deliver Sheldon-made joinery across Sydney, from the base of Sheldon’s manufacturing facility on the Central Coast. It’s a key component of our workplace design and construction practice, and will reduce the carbon emissions output of our deliveries to zero.

“Why wait until the next generation of electric vehicles becomes more affordable or more widely available? We wanted to get ahead and do something about our environmental impact now,” said Peter Law, founder and CEO of Sheldon.

With a charger set up at the manufacturing facility, Sheldon’s truck is powered up and ready to go. It’s an important step in our commitment to increasing sustainable practices and reducing our carbon footprint.

The electric truck aligns with our sustainability and circular economy strategy, which includes maximising the reuse of materials in our workplace fitout projects, using sustainably made materials, and planning towards a solar-powered with battery manufacturing facility. Embracing circular design principles on a recent project at 55 Clarence St, we reduced carbon emissions by 48%.

Caring for the environment, caring for Country

The influence of Indigenous Elder, Professor Richard Swain, has been monumental on our fast-tracking of environmental initiatives and strategies. As cultural advisor to Sheldon, “Richard’s influence has made us realise we can’t keep waiting – we’re choosing to invest in our people and the planet, for future generations,” said Peter.

The role of electric trucks in reducing emissions

Electric vehicles, powered by Australia’s abundant renewable energy resources such as lithium, are critical to achieve Australia’s emissions target of 43% below 2005 levels by 2030, and net-zero by 2050[1].

While 8.4% of all new cars sold in 2023 were electric cars, a 120% increase from 2022 indicating a promising uptake from consumers, the increase in electric buses and trucks has been much slower.[2] This is due to a range of factors including limited supply, lack of charging infrastructure nation-wide, cost and uncertain policy frameworks.

Transport is predicted to be Australia’s largest source of emissions by 2030[3] - if we don’t act to make changes now. An uptake in electric trucks will have a huge impact on reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and getting closer to the net-zero target. Freight trucks are particularly energy-intensive – they account for only 8% of all vehicles on the road but emit 27% of all transport emissions.[4]

One of the newest electric trucks on the market, the Hyundai MIGHTY Electric has a range of up to 200km when fully charged, SmartSense safety technology, and an ergonomic seating area.

Sheldon’s team are excited to get behind the wheel of the Electric ‘Zero CO2’ and reduce our environmental impact, one kilometer at a time.

[1] https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/national-electric-vehicle-strategy.pdf

[2] https://electricvehiclecouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/State-of-EVs_July-2023_.pdf

[3] https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/national-electric-vehicle-strategy.pdf

[4] https://thedriven.io/2024/01/18/why-electric-trucks-not-hydrogen-are-our-best-bet-to-cut-road-transport-emissions/