Loblaw Companies takes delivery of their first two Volvo VNR Electric trucks to service stores in the Greater Montreal Area. Pictured left to right are Matthew Blackman, regional vice president for Canada, Volvo Trucks North America; Michel Larocque, president of Camions Montreal; Wayne Scott, senior director, transport maintenance, Loblaw Companies; and Paul Kudla, managing director for Canada, Volvo Trucks North America.

Canadian retailer deploys electric Volvo tractors

Nov. 3, 2023

Loblaw will use the two zero-tailpipe-emission Volvo VNR Electric trucks to service Montreal grocery stores out of its Boucherville, Quebec, distribution center.

Commercial Vehicle Staff

Loblaw Companies Limited, the largest food and pharmacy retailer in Canada, recently deployed two VNR Electric trucks from Volvo Trucks North America to service its grocery stores in the Greater Montreal area.

The zero-tailpipe-emission trucks are expected to deliver cleaner air and reduced noise.

“It is a win-win opportunity to support customers who share our commitment to a sustainable future, so we are honored to be to be part of this journey with Loblaw as they work to transition their fleet to fossil-free solutions,” Peter Voorhoeve, Volvo Trucks president, said in a news release. “Loblaw has been purchasing Volvo trucks for more than 25 years and we have worked to provide them with dependable, efficient, and innovative solutions that meet their evolving needs.

“Now, with the adoption of the Volvo VNR Electric, we are taking our partnership to a new level, uniting in our commitment to decarbonizing the transportation industry.”

Volvo Trucks North America customer Loblaw Companies Limited, the largest food retailer in Canada, recently deployed two Volvo VNR Electric trucks to service its grocery stores in the Greater Montreal Area.

The Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric was designed as a zero-tailpipe-emission solution for fleet operators supporting local and regional distribution, pickup and delivery, and food and beverage distribution, Volvo said. Loblaw deployed two VNR Electric 6x4 tractors with a six-battery-pack configuration and a range of up to 442 kilometers (275 miles), both of which will operate out of the company’s distribution center in Boucherville, Quebec, on routes that cover approximately 200 kilometers a day across two eight hour shifts.

Loblaw added the VNR Electrics to support the company’s sustainability initiatives and reduce the environmental impact of its operations as it strives to achieve net zero by 2040. The company plans to steadily expand adoption of battery-electric trucks as it works toward a goal of fully transitioning to zero-tailpipe-emission daycabs by 2030.

“We operate stores within 10 kilometers of 90% of Canadians, which means we run thousands of deliveries every single day and millions per year,” said Rob Wiebe, chief administrative officer for Loblaw. “Finding viable solutions to decarbonize our transportation fleet is critical, as we work to fight climate change.

“It’s thanks to the innovation and dependability of organizations like Volvo Trucks North America that we’ll be able to achieve this goal.”

To support its battery-electric trucks, Loblaw installed four chargers, including a 175 kW high-power fast charger. The electric trucks have a battery capacity of 565 kWh and can be fully charged in approximately 90 minutes, Volvo said. The trucks will be maintained and serviced by authorized Volvo dealer Camions Volvo Montreal.