At CMV Truck & Bus, we’re proud to collaborate with organisations that are actively shaping the future of Australian transport. Our partnership with KTS Recycling is a strong example of how electric trucks and well‑planned fleet strategies can deliver meaningful operational outcomes while supporting the transition toward zero‑emission transport.
WM Waste Management was founded in 1985 by Matt Jeffs’ father and grandfather, with a strong focus on providing reliable waste services to the local community. In 2007, that commitment to sustainability evolved further with the creation of Knox Transfer Station (KTS) Recycling, a purpose‑built resource recovery facility designed to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill. Today, the business employs more than 60 people across four sites in Melbourne’s south‑east and operates one of Victoria’s busiest resource recovery facilities.
KTS is one of Melbourne’s busiest resource recovery facilities and handles a constant flow of vehicles, materials and people every day. It’s a busy environment where reliability, safety and efficiency are non-negotiable. That context makes their decision to introduce electric trucks to their growing fleet not just progressive, but practical.
“The decision to transition to electric heavy vehicles – in particular the Volvo FM Electric – is often discussed in terms of future possibilities, but for KTS, the transition is already well underway. This truck is not limited to light duty or low utilisation tasks; it’s reliable and capable of supporting day to day industrial operations,” says Matt Jeffs, Group General Manager of KTS.
For any fleet operating in this type of environment, vehicle uptime directly impacts operational performance. This is where electric trucks have started to challenge long‑held assumptions. Far from being limited to light-duty tasks, the Volvo FM Electric is capable of handling demanding, stop‑start operations with confidence and consistency.
KTS’s commitment to maximising resource recovery naturally extends beyond waste processing and into how materials are transported. Reducing emissions within the site improves air quality, lowers noise and creates a safer, more comfortable workplace for staff. Electric trucks align seamlessly with these goals, supporting the broader sustainability outcomes that underpin KTS’s approach to waste and recycling.
A critical element of this transition has been ensuring the right support framework is in place and working in partnership with KTS. At CMV Truck & Bus, we recognise that electric trucks are part of a broader system. “Rather than simply supplying trucks to KTS, we’ve worked closely with Matt and the team, to deliver a complete solution tailored to their operational needs including access to a reliable charging infrastructure network,” says Jedd Dyer, Account Manager at CMV Truck & Bus Clayton.
This holistic approach ensures the vehicles perform consistently while minimising disruption to operations. Seeing electric trucks operate reliably in a demanding environment like a waste transfer station provides genuine confidence that the technology is ready for the right applications today.
“Our partnership recognises that adopting electric trucks is not just about the truck itself, but about ensuring the entire system works cohesively – from specification and suitability through to ongoing support through our charging infrastructure network,” says Joe Di Santo, Market Development Manager at CMV Truck & Bus.
Heavy electric vehicle reliability is front of mind for any operator considering change, and it’s an area where CMV Truck & Bus play a critical role. With a deep understanding of commercial transport requirements, we ensure that the electric trucks are configured correctly, supported by our strong charging infrastructure network. This level of support is essential in helping businesses transition with confidence, knowing they have a partner who understands both the technology and the realities of fleet operation.
For KTS, the move to electric trucks reflects a broader mindset: evolving operations responsibly while maintaining high performance standards. It demonstrates that sustainability and operational efficiency do not need to compete. With the right strategy, support and solution, they actively reinforce each other.
As the Victorian truck and bus industry continues to explore pathways toward decarbonisation, examples like KTS offer valuable insight. Electric trucks are no longer a distant concept and pipe dream – they are working assets delivering tangible benefits today. Through partnerships like the one between KTS and CMV Truck & Bus, the transition becomes practical, supported and commercially viable. CMV Truck & Bus is proud to support organisations leading this change, providing not just vehicles, but complete electric transport solutions designed for the future of Australian fleets.
Find out more about Volvo Electric trucks here.
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