Producers Dairy, a Fresno, California-based dairy processor and direct-to-store supplier, has deployed two Volvo VNR Electric trucks in its delivery routes, the first battery-electric Class 8s to be deployed in the Central Valley. Several Volvo VNRs already operate in the Inland Empire of the Golden State.
The Volvo VNR Electric was designed as a sustainable transportation solution for local and regional distribution, pickup-and-delivery, and food and beverage distribution. The two VNRs will be the first Class 8 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in Producers Dairy’s fleet of more than 300 trucks and will service regional distribution routes from its Fresno-based manufacturing facility to grocery stores in communities along the 40-mile stretch of Highway 99 from Selma to Madera, California.
“Through the deployment of its first two Volvo VNR Electrics, Producers Dairy is truly leading by example on the path to a more environmentally friendly future, which is at the core of the company’s mission,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “Our team is grateful for the investment that our dealer partner, Affinity Truck Center, made in becoming the Central Valley’s first Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle Dealer to provide Producers Dairy and other customers in the region with premium support to maximize the uptime of their Volvo VNR Electric trucks.”
Producers Dairy is a third-generation family business run by the Shehadey family. “We are excited to integrate these first two Volvo VNR Electric trucks into our fleet as we work to reduce emissions on our local delivery routes,” said Scott Shehadey, president of Producers Dairy.
“This investment in zero-tailpipe-emission technology aligns with our corporate mission to enhance the quality of people’s lives, and we are grateful to each of the organizations that supported us with today’s successful vehicle deployment, including Volvo Trucks, Affinity Truck Center, the California Air Resources Board, and AMPLY Power.”
The project was supported by funding from CARB’s GGRF Zero Emission Drayage Truck Project as part of California Climate Investments. Producers Dairy received $1.25 million to purchase, install, and integrate two Volvo VNR Electric trucks into its larger fleet.
“The deployment of two zero-emission battery-electric trucks at Producers Dairy’s Fresno-based manufacturing facility shows how companies can make innovative, real-world steps to improving air quality in the Central Valley region,” said Tania Pacheco-Werner, the CARB member representing the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. “I applaud the project partners for their collaboration on getting these fully electric trucks on the road and look forward to seeing Producers Dairy utilize the lessons learned from this deployment to scale up its battery-electric fleet and charging infrastructure in the future.”
Producers Dairy worked with AMPLY Power to design and install the charging infrastructure for its Volvo VNR Electrics and utilizes AMPLY’s Omega digital solution to monitor the infrastructure, optimize energy costs, and maximize charger and vehicle uptime.
The Fresno dairy processing facility includes two 150 kW DC fast chargers and the ability to scale for increased capacity in the future. AMPLY Power will work with Producers Dairy to maximize charging efficiency and cost-effectiveness with intelligent charge management services, while ensuring that the trucks are available to complete their mission-critical deliveries.
This article originally appeared on FleetOwner.com.
