Refrigerated vehicle rental specialist Petit Forestier has expanded its electric fleet with the delivery of nearly 300 battery-electric Iveco eDaily vehicles, as part of a broader transition toward lower-emission urban logistics.
The company said 275 Iveco eDaily vehicles fitted with refrigerated box bodies have now been delivered to its French operations and other European branches. The deliveries form part of a memorandum of understanding signed in September 2022, under which Petit Forestier agreed to order up to 2,000 eDaily chassis, to be equipped with refrigerated bodies by Lecapitaine. The vehicles delivered so far represent nearly 14% of the total volume covered by the agreement.
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The eDaily is the battery-electric version of Iveco’s Daily light commercial vehicle range and is offered in multiple configurations, from panel vans to chassis cabs with twin rear wheels. Iveco says the electric model maintains the payload capacity, towing capability and versatility associated with its diesel counterpart.
According to Petit Forestier, the eDaily vehicles selected for its fleet provide a real-world driving range of up to 150 kilometres, even when fully loaded and operating refrigerated equipment. The range is designed to meet the needs of urban and last-mile distribution. The electric drivetrain delivers up to 140 kilowatts of power and 400 Newton metres of torque, with selectable drive modes that allow operators to prioritise either performance or energy efficiency.
Iveco highlighted the use of its ePTO system, which allows the vehicle to draw power from the grid to charge the battery while simultaneously supplying electricity to the refrigeration unit. “This feature, which is unique in the world of electric vehicles, simplifies operations by reducing charging steps and optimises both economic and energy performance,” the manufacturer said. The refrigerated “Urban” box body supplied by Lecapitaine features a lightweight and aerodynamically optimised design intended to improve overall energy efficiency.
“To meet environmental challenges, our goal is to provide our customers with the means to operate lower-emission assets,” said Yann Leriche, director of assets and supply at Petit Forestier Group. “That’s why we actively support them in the decarbonisation of their fleets. Our fleet of electric vehicles enables our customers to reduce their environmental impact, integrating seamlessly into urban environments where silence is a value.”
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John Venstra, head of international key accounts at Iveco, said the partnership demonstrated the viability of electric solutions in specialised transport. “The eDaily proves that zero-emission mobility can deliver performance, reliability and versatility — even for demanding refrigeration applications,” he said. “We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Petit Forestier Group as customers pursue a practical energy transition.”
