Fonterra takes first Electric Refrigerated truck for distribution fleet

Fonterra’s latest addition is this electric refrigerated Volvo.

The first refrigerated electric truck to join Fonterra’s fleet is focussed on delivering dairy products from their Takaanini Distribution Centre, to customers across the wider Auckland metropolitan district. This truck is the second electric truck to join the Fonterra distribution fleet and is part of a partnership between Fonterra, Volvo Trucks New Zealand and EECA to enhance sustainability.

Rob Howell, Director of Operations and Supply Chain Oceania Fonterra, said the new electric truck represented an important step in Fonterra’s sustainability journey.

"Our objective is to be a leader in sustainability while prioritising our commitment to delivering healthy dairy nutrition to consumers around the motu (country).”

“We are working hard to reduce emissions across our supply chain. Working towards an electric fleet is another step in our journey partnering with Volvo Trucks New Zealand and EECA, providing access to the best technology to allow us to continue to make progress towards our climate ambitions," he said.

Scott Holt, General Manager for Volvo Trucks New Zealand agrees, “This electric truck marks an important juncture - the start of the real-world use and testing of this type of EV technology in a medium refrigerated truck application.”

“In order for New Zealand to transition to low carbon fleets, we need leaders like Fonterra to continue to have the courage to break new ground so that others feel they can also follow, with validation of performance and local support, all while achieving critical sustainability goals”.

The Volvo FE Electric Truck, equipped with a 256-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offers an estimated range of up to 200 kilometres on a single charge. Its refrigerated body provides 14 deck spaces, enabling transport for over 400 crates in a single delivery.