Online retailer Takealot has deployed ten JAC N75 EV battery electric trucks to make deliveries in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

The company in November welcomed four N75 four-ton electric trucks at its Cape Town operations, in a deal facilitated through Aeversa, a JAC Motors electric vehicle (EV) dealer, and fleet specialist Avis, which oversees Takealot’s transport operations.

Takealot has now also deployed six additional N75 electric units at its distribution centre in Kempton Park, in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

“We are excited to debut Cape Town's inaugural battery-electric trucks and are delighted to deliver an additional six JAC N75 EV trucks in Gauteng,” says Aeversa COO Reando Potgieter. 

“After two years of trials and fine-tuning Takealot’s integration strategy, including modelling different JAC EV trucks, we have established the necessary infrastructure and robust back-end support to manage their new emission-free EV fleet."

JAC Motors South Africa (SA) introduced its first battery-electric truck in South Africa in June 2021, following the global launch of the JAC N55 EV three-ton truck. Aeversa deployed the N55 for testing in a number of diverse local transport fleets. 

In 2022, the company introduced the N75 truck to the local market.

The N75 is powered by a 106.95 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack that allows for a maximum 200 km range.

When a DC fast charger with a standard European CCS2-combo connection is used, the battery can be fully recharged in roughly 80 minutes. 

The JAC N75 EV also features regenerative braking, antilock braking, advanced emergency braking, acceleration slip regulation, electronic stability control, and hill start assist.

It also has a reverse camera, rear parking sensors and a pedestrian warning system. 

“The JAC N75 EV offers a 50% reduction in fuel/energy expenses, and 70% lower maintenance cost than conventional trucks,” says JAC Motors SA CEO Karl-Heinz Göbel.

“We use Ampcontrol software to address range anxiety, leveraging the JAC N75 EV’s 200 km per charge range to achieve a daily range of over 400 km through opportunistic charging,” adds Avis Southern Africa commercial fleet and coastal sales GM Adrian van Tonder.

“As the world of sustainability continues to evolve, we will continue to evolve with it,” comments Takealot CEO Frederik Zietsman.

“This exciting collaboration marks an important step for us as a consciously innovative business in South Africa.

“We don't just deliver packages; we are delivering on our promise to reduce our carbon footprint and provide a sustainable shopping solution to our customers.”

Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corporation (JAC Motors) is a Chinese vehicle manufacturer, present in 28 African countries.

The company launched its first battery electric truck in 2014.