US Foods Holding Corp., a leading foodservice distributor in the United States, is reducing its carbon footprint by integrating zero-emission battery-electric trucks into its distribution center in La Mirada, California. The company recently took delivery of its first Freightliner eCascadia trucks and plans to add 30 more electric trucks in 2023, following a previous announcement.
The move is part of US Foods’ initiative to meet its near-term emissions reduction goals, including decreasing absolute Scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 32.5% by 2032 from a 2019 baseline, and having 67% of its suppliers with science-based targets by 2027. The new battery-electric trucks will help reduce harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions throughout Southern California.
See also: Freightliner eCascadia electric truck : Specifications, Battery and Range
The Freightliner eCascadia single eAxle truck is capable of producing up to 395 horsepower (296 kilowatts) and has an estimated range of 230 miles. The vehicles come equipped with a Detroit ePowertrain for maximum torque, quick acceleration on the road, and new safety and connectivity features from Detroit Assurance and Detroit Connect.
US Foods’ vice president of fleet and sustainability, Dan Bennett, expressed excitement about the milestone, stating, “Our ongoing investment in alternative fuel vehicles is a testament to our dedication to reducing the environmental footprint of our growing fleet.”
To further reduce its carbon footprint, US Foods plans to optimize routing to reduce miles driven, deploy new vehicle technology, and invest in alternative fuels like compressed natural gas, renewable natural gas, and renewable diesel fuel. The company also intends to construct charging infrastructure at its La Mirada distribution center to power its electric fleet, with NextEra Energy Resources providing charging installation services, and Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready Transport Program will provide the electrical supply infrastructure for the site.
See also: Daimler starts customer deliveries of Freightliner eCascadia all-electric semi-truck
US Foods received support from various organizations to achieve this significant milestone, including the South Coast Air Quality Management District, EPA’s Targeted Airshed Grant Program, and the California Air Resources Board’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project. Furthermore, additional support was obtained from the California Energy Commission’s EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles Project, Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready Transport Program, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC., and Doggett Freightliner.
David Carson, senior vice president of sales and marketing at DTNA, expressed pride in contributing to US Foods’ sustainability objectives by providing the Freightliner eCascadia to their fleet. He said, “Together, industry leaders like our two companies will continue to shape a brighter, cleaner future.”
