BRAMPTON, ON, July 23, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, Loblaw
Companies Limited (TSX: L) ("Loblaw") took an important step on its
journey to move its corporately-owned trucking fleet to electric
vehicles, with the introduction of Daimler Trucks North America's
(DTNA) battery-electric Freightliner eCascadia to routes in
British Columbia. The company
first trialed the eCascadia in early 2020 as part of Freightliner's
Customer Experience (CX) fleet. Now, Loblaw has placed an initial
order for five vehicles to be delivered in 2022/2023.
Loblaw will continue utilize the CX fleet eCascadia for the next
three months in and around the South
Surrey, B.C. area. Typical routes the eCascadia runs include
distances between 160km to 250km, primarily hauling grocery and
other retail products from the company's distribution center to
stores. Data generated from the daily operations will help
inform the continual development of electric vehicles.
"With approximately 10,000 deliveries to and from our stores
each week, we understand the impact our fleet has on the
environment. We know that through our own actions, we can play a
critical role in helping Canada reach its carbon
reduction targets," said Brian Springer, Vice President,
Transport Operations, Loblaw Companies Limited. "Over the past few
years, we have worked closely with our partners to reach our goal
of fully electrifying our corporate fleet by 2030. Our partnership
with the Daimler Trucks North America's eMobility group is an
important piece in that overall commitment."
In January of 2020, Loblaw participated in a demonstration of
the eCascadia, loaded to 80,000 pounds of gross weight. Overall
impressions were positive, and leadership saw immediate potential
for electric vehicle usage in operations. One in five Loblaw trips
run about 150 km from a distribution center, which easily fits
within the production eCascadia's planned 400 km range
capability.
"As always, collaboration with our customers is critical to
understanding how commercial battery electric trucks will be part
of a long-term solution in CO2-neutral transportation," said
David Carson, senior vice president
of sales & marketing at Daimler Trucks North America. "We are
excited for Loblaw's trial and for feedback that aids in
the purposeful innovation of our electric vehicles."
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw is Canada's food and
pharmacy leader, and the nation's largest retailer. Loblaw provides
Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel,
general merchandise, financial services and wireless mobile
products and services. With more than 2,400 corporate, franchised
and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees and
Associate-owners employ more than 190,000 full- and part-time
employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.
About Freightliner Trucks
Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North
America LLC, headquartered in Portland,
Oregon, and is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in
North America. Daimler Trucks
North America produces and markets Class 5–8 trucks and is a
Daimler company, the world's leading commercial vehicle
manufacturer. More information is available
at www.Freightliner.com.
About Daimler Trucks North America
Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Ore., is the leading heavy-duty
truck manufacturer in North
America. It manufactures, sells, and services commercial
vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star, Detroit, and Thomas Built Buses nameplates.
Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company.
SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited