Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited (Coke Canada Bottling) has officially unveiled its inaugural fleet of Volvo VNR Electric trucks. This pivotal moment marks the introduction of electric Class 8 trucks into the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing sector. These eco-friendly vehicles are set to revolutionize Coke Canada Bottling’s operations as they embark on a pilot program featuring six electric trucks, servicing the Red Fleet customer delivery routes across the Greater Montreal Area.
The Volvo VNR Electric trucks, equipped with a six-battery configuration, boast an impressive single-charge range of up to 440 kilometers (275 miles). They are perfectly tailored for the company’s daily round trips of 150 kilometers (93 miles) from their Montreal distribution center to customer destinations within the region.
See also: Coca-Cola Canada Bottling to Pilot Six Volvo VNR Electric Trucks for Deliveries in Montreal Area
To support this electrifying initiative, Coke Canada Bottling has installed three 150 kW DC chargers with nine dispensers at its Montreal Distribution Center, facilitating efficient drive-through charging for the Volvo VNR Electric trucks. These trucks, equipped with a substantial 565 kWh battery capacity, can rapidly achieve an 80 percent charge in a mere 90 minutes.
This initiative is a significant stride in Coke Canada Bottling’s “Toward a Better Future Together” environmental sustainability action plan. It aligns with the company’s ambitious goal of reducing carbon emissions from both direct sources and supplied energy by an impressive 46.2% by the year 2030. In addition to the deployment of these zero-tailpipe emission Volvo VNR Electric trucks, Coke Canada Bottling is actively exploring other avenues to enhance fleet efficiency, including the electrification of light-duty service vehicles and the incorporation of alternative fuel sources.
For seamless support throughout their electrification journey, the Volvo VNR Electric trucks will be serviced by a local Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle dealership. This certification entails comprehensive sales and service training for all dealership personnel, ensuring a smooth customer experience and assisting in securing incentive funding to alleviate the cost burden associated with battery-electric trucks.
Coke Canada Bottling made use of federal and provincial incentives, such as Ćcocamionnage and the Incentives for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles (iMHZEV) Program funding, to offset the expenses associated with the acquisition of their six Volvo VNR Electric trucks. This strategic move underscores Coke Canada Bottling’s commitment to sustainability and sets a pioneering example for the Canadian food and beverage industry.