Hirschbach Motor Lines has taken a major step towards decarbonizing its operations by deploying five Orange EV battery-electric yard trucks at two Lineage Logistics facilities in Kansas City. Hirschbach, which is based in Dubuque, Iowa, is using the vehicles to provide zero-emission spotting services. Lineage Logistics, which specializes in temperature-controlled food storage and transportation, has also deployed 10 additional Orange EV yard trucks at its facilities in California.
Hirschbach’s goal is to have 20% of its spotter fleet converted to EV by Q3 of 2023. By switching from diesel to electric, the company eliminates over 100 tons of carbon dioxide per truck annually, along with diesel particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants emitted by diesel combustion.
The Orange EV trucks used by Hirschbach have a maximum powertrain efficiency of more than 90%. The company operates them up to 20 hours a day, six days a week, under heavy-use conditions. The electric yard tractors are particularly well suited to this kind of operation, according to the North American Council for Freight Efficiency, which concluded that they may be a great first step for fleets interested in learning more about electrification in commercial vehicle applications.
Both Hirschbach and Lineage Logistics have long been focused on energy efficiency and supply chain efficiency. Hirschbach has won multiple EPA SmartWay Excellence Awards, in part by aggressively reducing empty route miles and idling time to reduce emissions and maximize fuel economy. Lineage also participates in the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership and has been recognized by the Department of Energy for four consecutive years. Lineage has made a Climate Pledge commitment to be net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Hirschbach recently received Lineage Logistics’ first-ever National Truckload Carrier of the Year and Dedicated Truckload Carrier of the Year awards.
According to Kevin Lage, Hirschbach’s senior director commercial team, the company’s Spot by Hirschbach team has been focused on bringing technology into the customer yards that it services. “Orange EV’s electric yard trucks are an exciting next step for us to continue to do the right thing for our customer, our driver team, and the environment,” Lage said.
