Volkswagen Group of America Inc is using electric forklifts in a Jacksonville parts distribution warehouse that was recognised with a grand opening ceremony on 18 June.

Volkswagen says the electric forklifts use 26% less energy than predecessor equipment in another Jacksonville warehouse that is being phased out.

The new location is 30% larger and represents a USD30 million investment. The warehouse employs 40, stocks about 50,000 unique parts with a value of approximately USD18 million and provides those parts as needed to 115 Volkswagen and Audi dealerships in six south east states and the US territory of Puerto Rico.

Volkswagen Group of America of Herndon, Virginia is a division of publicly traded Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft of Wolfsburg, Germany.