Video: Foodstuffs rolls out first EV refrigerated truck

Foodstuffs and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) have partnered up to build New Zealand’s first electric powered refrigerated truck.

From the tailgate to the engine and the fridge-freezer unit that sits on top, everything on the vehicle is powered by a battery.

It is the latest of several projects between Foodstuffs and EECA as they collaborate in the drive towards a carbon neutral New Zealand by 2050.

“This really is a huge feat of Kiwi ingenuity … we couldn’t purchase a fully electric refrigerated truck, because it didn’t exist, so we had the idea to custom build one,” Foodstuffs NZ sustainability manager Mike Sammons says.

With carbon emissions from transport currently at 18% in New Zealand, Sammons is optimistic this new innovation will have a role to play in transport carbon reduction

“We’re 100% committed to playing our part in creating more sustainable transport solutions, building a fully electric refrigeration truck is a massive leap towards a carbon-free future for New Zealand,” he says.

Foodstuffs made a successful application to the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund for co-funding support.

EECA transport portfolio manager Richard Briggs says they could see the potential immediately.

“Heavy vehicles make up less than 5% of the national fleet, but are responsible for 29% of land transport emissions, so decarbonising the heavy fleet as much as possible will have a huge, positive impact.”

EECA had previously co-funded Foodstuffs to deliver 61 fast charge stations, 28 electric delivery vans and two ambient trucks.

“Foodstuffs has developed a great track record in this space, proving the viability of electrification,” Briggs says.

With EECA’s backing, Foodstuffs pulled together some of the country’s brightest and best transport, electrical and refrigeration engineers to convert the standard Isuzu FVY, 24 tonne, 6-wheel diesel truck to be 100% electric powered.

The electric truck will operate from the Foodstuffs Distribution Centre in Grenada Wellington under the stewardship of Foodstuffs North Island Transport.

Fleet and safety manager Blair Inglis was instrumental in driving the project forward.

“We knew from the start building a fully electric EV truck would be a challenge and we had our fair share of them along the way, including COVID-19, but we always knew if we could pull it off, this innovation could set the direction for the future of commercial transport in New Zealand and that’s very exciting,” Inglis says.

After extensive testing and driver training, the electric truck recently set out on its first official delivery run to New World Miramar, a 60 km round trip. With a range of between 150 and 200 km and capable of transporting 14 pallets of product at temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees centigrade, the truck completed its inaugural journey with ease.

Foodstuffs North Island Transport driver Bagish Bansal gave the truck its first official run.

“I really liked it,” he says. “The ride was smooth, it was really quiet in the cab and it’s great to know that you’re helping the environment while doing your job, that feels really good. I really hope this is the shape of things to come for my occupation,” Bansal says.

Earlier this year, New Zealand fishing company Sanford unveiled an all-electric chilled van as part of its Auckland deliveries and hailed as a New Zealand first.