Loblaw is doubling its fleet of electric semi-trucks with the addition of 10 Freightliner eCascadia trucks in Vancouver.
Expansion of the Electric Fleet
Canadian food distribution company Loblaw announced that it has doubled the size of its zero-emission semi-truck fleet by deploying 10 new fully electric Freightliner eCascadia trucks in Vancouver.
Operational Use in Vancouver
The new electric Freightliner eCascadia semi-trucks were delivered to Loblaw last month and are now fully operational in Vancouver and British Columbia.
Why Vancouver
Wayne Scott, Senior Director of Maintenance at Loblaw, highlighted that Vancouver stood out as the ideal location due to its ongoing commitment to environmental initiatives, making it a leader in adopting environmentally friendly technologies.
Goal of a Fully Electric Fleet by 2030
These 10 electric semi-trucks are in addition to the four originals that have been in service since last April in the Greater Montreal area, bringing Loblaw’s operational eCascadia fleet to 14. The company also announced that it has ordered 25 Tesla Semi trucks, contributing to its goal of transitioning to a fully zero-emission transportation fleet by 2030.
Commitment to Clean Energy
Wayne Scott stated that the addition of these electric trucks demonstrates Loblaw’s commitment to clean energy and social responsibility. He is confident that this investment will not only benefit the company but also contribute to environmental sustainability.
Performance of the Electric Semi-Trucks
The current four electric trucks at Loblaw carry out short-distance deliveries from a distribution center to over 200 Loblaw stores, covering approximately 370 km per charge while carrying up to 32,000 kg. Charging is done overnight at one of the five 180 kW ABB chargers located about 10 km from Coquitlam.
Ecological Visibility in Western Canada
Loblaw’s eCascadia fleet sports a “plugged-in” green and blue livery, with “100% electric” prominently displayed on the front wings of the trucks. This will make them highly visible across Western Canada, an area often associated with oil, oil sands, and pickup trucks, gradually changing this perception.
Source: “Loblaw double sa flotte de semi-remorques électriques avec l’ajout de 10 Freightliner eCascadia à Vancouver” from L’annuel de l’automobile – Actualité automobile
