Loblaw buys hydrogen fuel cell trucks as it looks to achieve zero-emission long-haul deliveries

Loblaw Companies Ltd. is purchasing five Class 8 T680 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) from Kenworth.

With a range of over 700 kilometers, Loblaw said the vehicles will provide the company greater flexibility to complete long-haul zero-emission deliveries. 

Earlier this year, Loblaw put its first two electric commercial Class 8 day-cab vehicles on the road, making short-haul deliveries from its Boucherville, Que. distribution centre to stores within the Greater Montreal Area. 

In addition to the five hydrogen FCEVs from Kenworth, the company has approximately 35 battery electric vehicles on order from various manufacturers, with many expected to be on the road by the end of 2024.

"We're a large company, operating an extensive supply chain network to stock stores in thousands of Canadian communities. That means our trucks are on the road in every province and territory, which creates a large footprint," said Rob Wiebe, chief administrative officer for Loblaw, in a statement. "We see the opportunity to fight climate change and know we have a responsibility to find new ways to cut our carbon emissions. As technologies advance, we will advance too."

Loblaw’s efforts to pursue a zero-emissions long-haul fleet builds on a commitment to electrify its fleet of short-haul day-cab trucks by 2030. 

This is part of the company’s overarching commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions enterprise-wide by 2040.