Loblaw deploys first battery electric transport truck

Loblaw Companies Ltd. is rolling out its first heavy-duty fully electric transport truck. 

The Freightliner eCascadia, manufactured by Daimler Truck North America, is the first series production eCascadia handed over to a customer in Canada, and one of five Loblaw expects to put into service in the months ahead.

In 2017, Loblaw pledged that by 2030 it would decarbonize its fleet of more than 160 company-owned day-cab trucks.

The first electric truck is making daily runs between the company’s distribution centre in Boucherville, Que. and Loblaw stores in the Greater Montreal Area, which include Provigo, Provigo Le Marche and Maxi. 

[Read more: “Loblaw commits to achieving net-zero status by 2040”]

The trucks will get up to 370 kilometers per charge while hauling up to 82,000 pounds of gradually diminishing gross weight, and will return to the Boucherville distribution centre’s new charging station to recharge daily.

“It’s no secret that vehicle decarbonization is central to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and we want to lead in the adoption of this new technology,” said Brian Springer, VP, national transport operations, Loblaw, in a statement. “For nearly two years, we’ve piloted different vehicles across various parts of our business, and we’re excited to roll-out a solution that works.”

The deployment of electric trucks is one of over 250 projects Loblaw has completed in the last year to help it achieve net-zero carbon emissions.