Capital Equipment News January-February 2024

TRANSPORT NEWS

DHL Express banks on electric ID.Buzz Cargo vans Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has partnered with DHL Express for the pilot test of the ID.Buzz Cargo fleet in South Africa. Four ID.Buzz Cargo units will be placed at the DHL Express Service Centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban for six months. The units will be utilised for specialised last-mile delivery service

as part of DHL’s local pilot test of its global zero emissions logistics target. The introduction of the ID.Buzz Cargo test fleet is an effort towards the realisa tion of Volkswagen Group South Africa’s electric vehicles strategy for the Volkswa gen brand in South Africa. The test fleet will assist Volkswagen to build awareness of its electric vehicles in South Africa and to obtain learnings that are key for the brand’s electric vehicles strategy. Thomas Milz, Director of Sales and Mar keting at VWSA, said: “Our partnership with DHL Express on the ID.Buzz Cargo test fleet marks the beginning of Volkswagen’s long term plan to gradually introduce its electric vehicles in the local market. At the end of the pilot test, we hope to have gathered suffi cient information and insights on the readi JC Auditors strengthens team with national road traffic expert JC Auditors (JCA), a leading SANAS-ac credited certification body, is delighted to announce the addition of Reon du Plessis to its dynamic team. With over 40 years of distinguished experience in road traffic implementation, Du Plessis brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the organisation. During his career, the expert held several key positions, including Chief Provincial Inspector, Deputy Director, and Head of the KZN Traffic Training College. Under his leadership, the KZN Traffic Training College achieved recognition as the best traffic training college in South Africa, a testa ment to his dedication and commitment to excellence. Du Plessis has various qualifications in the field, including that of a profes sional vehicle examiner since 1980. This extensive experience equips him with solid insight into vehicle inspection and safety standards, further strengthening JC Auditors’ capabilities in this crucial area. The JCA team conducts around 1 000 RTMS audits annually, which evaluates a transporter’s capability to manage its fleet

Thomas Milz, Director of Sales and Marketing, VWSA and Jed Michaletos, Managing Director, DHL Express South Africa.

ness of the local market for the introduction of a commercial electric vehicle such as the ID.Buzz Cargo. We are very excited to partner with DHL who shares a similar commitment of zero emissions by 2050 in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement.” “As the world’s leading logistics com pany, we have a responsibility to set an example in our industry and be a sustain

ability leader. DHL Express has committed to achieving zero emission by 2050 through a number of initiatives, one of which is en suring that we have at least 60% electric vehicles for last-mile deliveries by 2030. We are excited to partner with VWSA to pilot their ID. Buzz in our South African operations, said Jed Michaletos – MD, DHL Express South Africa. b

Reon du Plessis.

tation for the upcoming implementation of AARTO. His deep understanding of the Act and its implications will be instrumental in helping the road transport sector navigate the changing landscape of road traffic regulations. Du Plessis has been instrumental in developing the AARTO training knowledge base, which has already been rolled out and well received by the sector. JC Auditors has a long-standing commit ment to promoting safety, compliance, and efficiency within the South African Supply Chain. With Du Plessis on board, the organi sation aims to enhance its ability to support clients in achieving these critical objectives in the collective efforts to mitigate South Africa’s poor road safety record. b

in a safe and compliant manner, ultimately to mitigate and minimise road crashes. With Du Plessis’ expertise, JCA will now initiate random vehicle inspections as a further aide to identify and communicate key risks to the transporter. “The aim of these value-added inspec tions is provide transporters with key information in order to promote continual improvement”, says Gift Nhlabathi, Senior RTMS auditor with JCA. Of particular significance is the new team member’s involvement in the progres sive development of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act since 1998. As an expert in this field, he is uniquely positioned to provide invaluable guidance and interpre

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