Queensland-based specialist vehicle importer and distributor BLK Auto has sold its first EV truck in Australia to All Purpose Transport (APT), with the vehicle to be used for home deliveries in Queensland for Swedish furniture giant IKEA.

The N55 JAC EV Truck – which runs on a lithium battery and is capable of reaching distances of up to 200km in a single charge, rendering it ideal for daily citywide deliveries and overnight charging – is expected to be delivered to APT in October and will be immediately deployed into their fleet.

APT is a contracted delivery provider which undertakes home deliveries for IKEA across Queensland.

APT will use the EV truck to perform home deliveries in Queensland for the Swedish company operating a ‘back to base’ model, guaranteeing overnight charging for a full day’s worth of deliveries.

The sale of the EV truck represents BLK Auto’s official entry into the Australian EV sector, targeting transport and logistics as a primary sector for transitioning from traditional fuel fleets to renewable energies.

“We’re extremely pleased to have closed our first EV Truck sale to APT for the IKEA service, and to be an integral part of what could become a major transition for one of the world’s most iconic furniture brands,” BLK Auto managing director Jason Pecotic says.

“With global emission reduction and carbon footprint targets now moving into the enactment phase, we see the Australia and New Zealand transport markets as key industries that can readily adapt to this change by making the investment in EV fleets.”