The Class 8 vehicles – manufactured by
Kenworth – add to Loblaw's growing zero-emission fleet as it works
to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040
BRAMPTON, ON, May 25, 2023
/CNW/ - Today, Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX: L) ("Loblaw") is
announcing plans to purchase five Class 8 T680 hydrogen fuel cell
electric vehicles (FCEV) from Kenworth. With a range of over 700
kilometers, these vehicles feature some of the very latest in
carbon-free technology and will provide Loblaw with greater
flexibility to complete long-haul zero-emission deliveries –
regional trips that, until now, have lacked a viable decarbonized
solution.
The hydrogen FCEV trucks add to the company's growing
zero-emission fleet. Earlier this year, Loblaw put its first two
electric commercial Class 8 day-cab vehicles on the road, making
short-haul deliveries from its Boucherville, Quebec distribution centre to
stores within the Greater Montreal
Area. In addition to the five hydrogen FCEVs from Kenworth,
the company has approximately 35 battery electric vehicles on order
from various manufacturers, with many expected to be on the road by
the end of 2024.
"We're a large company, operating an extensive supply chain
network to stock stores in thousands of Canadian communities. That
means our trucks are on the road in every province and territory,
which creates a large footprint," said Rob
Wiebe, Chief Administrative Officer for Loblaw. "We see the
opportunity to fight climate change and know we have a
responsibility to find new ways to cut our carbon emissions. As
technologies advance, we will advance too."
This purchase is especially meaningful, as it begins to solve
the zero-emission long-haul challenge. Today, battery-electric
trucks cannot haul great distances without frequent charges, but
hydrogen can reliably extend driving distances across entire
regions.
Loblaw was the first Canadian organization to sign a letter of
intent to purchase these hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, as
part of its plan to adopt new technology to help meet its
environmental goals. The company's efforts to pursue a
zero-emissions long-haul fleet builds on a commitment to electrify
its fleet of short-haul day-cab trucks by 2030. This is part of
Loblaw's overarching commitment to achieving net-zero carbon
emissions enterprise-wide by 2040. From 2020 to 2022, Loblaw cut
its greenhouse gas emissions by 8 per cent, as detailed in the
company's latest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report,
available at http://www.loblaw.ca/en/responsibility.
Kenworth's T680 FCEV is powered by Toyota fuel cell technology,
and is equipped with Toyota's 310kW Dual Motor Assembly, capable of
providing 415 horsepower continuously at a maximum payload of
82,000 lbs (GCWR), and the Toyota Gen 2 Dual Fuel Cell Module.
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, franchise
and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees and
Associate-owners employ approximately 221,000 full- and part-time
employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.
Loblaw's purpose – Live Life Well® – puts first the needs
and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions
annually in the company's stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and
exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than
1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to
specialty; full-service pharmacies at nearly 1,350 Shoppers Drug
Mart® and Pharmaprix® locations and close to 500 Loblaw
locations; PC Financial® services; affordable Joe
Fresh® fashion and family apparel; and four of Canada's top-consumer brands in Life Brand®,
Farmer's Market™, no name® and President's Choice®.
SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited