Supermarket giant Coles is trialling its first electric truck with its transport partner Linfox Logistics.
The Fuso eCanter truck is 100 per cent powered by renewable electricity and will deliver groceries from Coles' Eastern Creek Distribution Centre in Sydney's west to a number of Coles and Coles Local supermarkets in New South Wales.
Over the course of a year, use of the truck is expected to avoid more than 60 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
Transport safety and sustainability supply chain head David Clark said the electric truck trial was a significant step in Coles' Sustainability Strategy, and demonstrated how Coles and its transport partners could reduce its carbon footprint.
"Coles' first electric truck is a big step to introducing alternate fuel technologies to our supply chain, and we are excited about the opportunity to see more electric vehicles delivering groceries to our distribution centres and supermarkets in the future," Mr Clark said.
"By working with Linfox, we have considered the sustainability of the truck, from its carbon footprint when operating, to the end-of-lifecyle impacts on the environment."
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Linfox Logistics executive chairman Peter Fox said working in partnership with Coles, that connects customers with products from thousands of farmers and suppliers, was where the switch to electric vehicles could make the biggest difference.
Mr Clark said Coles sought supplier partners who aligned with its sustainability values and Linfox was a natural fit for the electric truck project.
"We are proud to be working with Linfox Logistics to deliver Coles' first electric truck," he said.
"We are excited to see how electric truck technology evolves and are eager to continue working with Linfox to discover ways to reduce emissions in our supply chain through alternate fuel technologies.
"We will continue to work tirelessly toward our Together to Zero sustainability ambitions, with hopes to one day introduce electric vehicles to support home delivery, as customers look to live and shop sustainably."
Some Coles supermarket and Coles Express customers are already enjoying the benefits of being able to charge their electric vehicles while shopping.
At the end of the 2020-2021 financial year, Coles had delivered electric-charging stations at 12 supermarket sites, and two additional Coles Express sites.
The company's aim is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and source 100pc renewable electricity by the end of FY25.
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