Loblaw begins rollout of battery-electric transport trucks

Pushing ahead with its net-zero carbon emissions strategy, Loblaw Cos. has put into service its first heavy-duty, fully electric transport truck.

The battery-electric Freightliner eCascadia truck, made by Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), will make daily runs between Loblaw’s distribution center in Boucherville, Quebec, and Loblaw Cos. stores in the greater Montreal area, which include Provigo, Provigo Le Marche and Maxi, Canada’s largest food and drug retailer said Monday. The trucks will get up to 370 kilometers per charge while hauling up to 82,000 pounds, returning daily to the Boucherville DC new charging station to recharge.

Brampton, Ontario-based Loblaw noted that the truck marks the first series production eCascadia provided to a customer in Canada. Plans call for the grocer to deploy another four of the eCascadias in the months ahead.

In 2017, Loblaw announced a commitment to decarbonize its fleet of more than 160 company-owned day-cab trucks by 2030. The company said the rollout of electric trucks is one of more than 250 projects it has completed over the past year alone to achieve net-zero carbon emissions to help fight climate change.

“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,” Brian Springer, vice president of national transport operations at Loblaw, said 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.”

According to DTNA, Freightliner’s battery-electric eCascadia is geared toward short-haul routes that enable depot-based charging. The truck brings a typical range of up to 370 kilometers, depending on vehicle configuration, and a maximum battery capacity of almost 440 kWh can recharge 80% of the truck in roughly 90 minutes.

“Retailers like Loblaw have big ambitions to decarbonize the thousands of trucks that transport the food Canadians grow and consume every day,” commented David Carson, senior vice president of sales and marketing at DTNA. “This first battery-electric Cascadia in the hand of a Canadian customer marks an important milestone to move the industry toward a more sustainable, safe and efficient future.”

Overall, Loblaw’s retail network spans 2,444 stores, including 547 corporate-owned supermarkets under multiple banners, 551 franchised grocery stores and 1,346 Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix associate-owned drugstores. Besides the drug store arm, Loblaw Cos. retail banners include Loblaws, Zehrs, Independent, Valu-Mart, Provigo, Atlantic Superstore, Fortinos T&T Supermarket, Wholesale Club, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Maxi and Extra Foods.