Working with one retail customer, Agility was able to measurably reduce the quantity of TEUs shipped from China to the West Coast of the United States. Through a solution that involved Container Freight Stations to consolidate cargo, we were able to reduce monthly TEUs shipped by 356. This reduction resulted in emissions reduction of an estimated 56%, or about 652 tons of carbon-equivalent emissions per year. At the same time, the customer achieved significant cost savings while enjoying the same high level of service.

One of our chemical customers in Europe challenged us to help organize their distribution network spanning 16 warehouses, packing and filling operations across one country. Agility rationalized the distribution network, reducing the total distance travelled by 22% while maintain the existing structure and adhering to the existing level of service requirements. The improvements resulted in cost reductions of 13%, a 7% increase in the volume delivered within 400 kilometers, as well as savings of 1,000 tons of CO2-equivalent emissions.

A global electronics leader challenged Agility with how to address reduce the carbon footprint of their shipments while managing growth in the dynamic Middle East market. Agility analyzed the shipments and products to see which were well-suited to switch from air freight to ocean freight. Switching from air to ocean increased shipment time significantly, but can reduce costs and emissions by over 90%, depending on the trade lane. Agility’s proposed solution for one trade lane would increase travel time from one day to 22 days, but reduce cost and emissions by more than 98%. For a second trade lane, the Agility solution increased travel time from 1 to 24 days, but reduced cost by 65% and emissions by 78%

A global automotive customer needed help improving the reliability and environmental impact of its supply chains from China to the West Coast of the US. A careful analysis of the customer’s supply chain revealed a few key opportunities for improvement. In a multi-faceted optimization project, Agility’s supply chain solution team proposed buyer consolidation in China to reduce the total number of consolidation points, which would also facilitate load optimization. Shipments were re-routed away from less efficient ports, allowing for better consolidation at destination and creating opportunities to double stack containers for inland rail transport. The comprehensive solution saved the customer 24% on logistics costs, reduced total shipment time by at least one day, and as much as 17 days, with shipments arriving four days faster on average. The solution also reduced emissions by 9% overall.

A technology company tasked Agility with reducing its carbon footprint for intra-Europe transport. It’s existing shipments were performed by truck. Based on the existing distribution network, Agility was able to propose multiple routing options on key trade lanes that would utilize lower-emissions modes of rail and barge, with only small increases in travel times. Switching to rail reduced emissions by 58%, and costs by 19%, while increasing travel time from 1 to 3 days. Switching from truck to barge reduced emissions by 68%, and costs by 30%, while increasing travel times from 1 to 5 days.

For a retail customer sending goods from Asia to North America, Agility introduced a range of improvements to their supply chain, including buyer consolidation at point of origin as well as load optimization. Improvements to the purchase order process and the vendor management systems were also part of this project, which reduced emissions by 9%, costs by 18% and average transport time by 11%.

Hyliion Inc., a leader in electrified powertrain solutions for Class 8 commercial vehicles, announced today the launch of its Hypertruck Electric Range Extender (ERX), a long-haul, fully electric powertrain delivering superior performance, emissions reductions and cost-savings to the global trucking industry.

Hypertruck ERX

The launch of the Hypertruck ERX is anchored by Agility, one of the world’s leading logistics companies with $5.2 billion in revenue and offices in 100 countries. Agility has confirmed a pre-order of up to 1,000 trucks and has agreed to invest in a private offering of securities to be issued by Tortoise Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: SHLL) in connection with Hyliion’s recently announced business combination.

“Hyliion is leading the way in electrified trucking. Our practical solution addresses the most important needs of today’s fleets: cost savings, lower emissions and a fueling infrastructure that can support long-haul transportation,” said Hyliion’s CEO and founder, Thomas Healy. “We’re already seeing robust interest in the Hypertruck ERX from fleets like Agility who are looking for electric solutions that can be seamlessly integrated.”

Combined with a fully electric drivetrain and a natural gas-powered onboard generator to recharge the battery, the Hypertruck ERX will provide more than 1,000 miles of range. The powertrain also produces electricity locally at roughly 30 percent less than the average grid cost, which yields a seven-year cost-of-ownership unmatched by any diesel, battery-electric (BEV) or hydrogen fuel-cell (FCEV) Class 8 truck under development.

“The Hyliion technology is so game-changing that all companies, especially those with consumer-facing brands, will be forced to adapt,” said Tarek Sultan, vice chairman and CEO of Agility. “It’s a triple win: Protect the environment, keep customers happy and benefit shareholders by improving the bottom line. We look forward to bringing significant cost savings and greater efficiency to our customers.”

Read more about how Agility works to green its operations

With more than 700 public stations across the U.S., the Hypertruck ERX leverages a robust natural gas refuelling infrastructure. The truck is the only electric Class 8 vehicle that can achieve a net-negative greenhouse gas emissions footprint using renewable natural gas (RNG). It will achieve 25 miles of pure electric vehicle range in compliance with cities adopting “Zero Emission Zones.” The vehicle’s low carbon footprint is further enhanced by the system’s machine learning algorithm, which optimizes energy efficiency, emissions, performance and predictive maintenance schedules.

Continuing Hyliion’s long-standing partner relationship with Dana Incorporated (NYSE: DAN), the Hypertruck ERX will feature Dana’s electric motor, inverter and axle technologies, and Dana plans to provide its state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities to support Hyliion in achieving full volume production of its powertrain systems. Initial Hypertruck ERX fleet demonstration vehicles have already been allocated to customers for delivery in 2021, with volume shipments scheduled in 2022. For more information on the Hypertruck ERX, click here.

Agility, a leading global logistics provider, is the first logistics company in Abu Dhabi to operate double-trailer trucks, which will improve operational efficiencies for its customers and reduce emissions by cutting the number of trips made.

Agility operates an extensive fleet of trailers in Abu Dhabi. About 50 of those are now double-trailer trucks. Double trailers significantly reduce the number of trips required to haul cargo, decreasing overall wear and tear on tires and vehicles. In the first six months of operation, Agility’s fleet management data demonstrates that double trailers reduce fuel use by 26% per container, eliminating about 2,500 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year.

Houssam Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer for Agility Abu Dhabi, said: “In addition to being environmentally friendly, the double trailers will positively impact productivity – and that’s good for both Agility and our customers. We are able to pass a lot of this benefits to our customer by providing greater flexibility and a significant reduction in the number of required trips.”

Acquiring the permit to operate double-trailer trucks took six months of proposals, trials, accident simulations, and safety demonstrations. Agility worked together with a local automotive distributor to develop the safest possible solution for the market, including Active Brake Assist 4, proximity control, and lane assist. Agility conducted a transport route survey to identify any routes that might be risky or challenging for drivers. Agility insisted on lane assist capability for the vehicles, and proposed it to the supplier after determining that drivers would need help to navigate sharp round-a-bouts.

In the United Arab Emirates, Agility has an industry-leading safety record, linking driver incentive pay to safety, rather than speed of operations, and has voluntarily provided extensive third-party training on double trailers to ensure it maintains its excellent record.