Foodstuffs adds electric heavy truck to chilled freight fleet

Foodstuffs North Island is adding a new electric truck to its supply chain fleet, with the vehicle set to begin deliveries next week.

The Deepway Star electric truck will operate out of the co-operative’s Palmerston North distribution centre, delivering chilled and frozen groceries to stores across the lower North Island.

Developed by Baidu and Lionbridge in Hefei, China, the truck has been designed for zero-carbon logistics and is the first electric heavy vehicle operating in Foodstuffs’ temperature-controlled distribution network. It will tow an electric refrigerated trailer introduced in 2024, allowing the entire unit to run on electricity.

Foodstuffs head of environmental social governance Sandy Botterill says electrifying heavy freight is a key step in reducing emissions.

“About 70% of Foodstuffs’ Scope 1 and 2 emissions come from our supply chain fleet, so transitioning heavy vehicles away from diesel is critical.

“We’ve set a target to reduce emissions by 42% by 2030 from our 2020 baseline, and projects like this move us closer to that goal,” Botterill says.

Foodstuffs says switching from diesel to electric trucks can cut operating emissions by around 85% vehicle, supported by New Zealand’s largely renewable electricity grid.

Foodstuffs carbon manager Ben Riordan says the emissions difference is significant.

“A comparable diesel truck would produce around 750 kilograms of carbon emissions a day on this route. The electric truck, powered through the New Zealand electricity grid, produces about 80 kilograms per day.

“That’s an estimated reduction of around 200 tonnes of carbon emissions each year – roughly the emissions of more than 3,200 passenger flights between Auckland and Wellington.”

The truck will complete two delivery runs a day, six days a week. Its morning route covers a 200km round trip to Kapiti Coast stores, followed by a 90-minute recharge before an afternoon 280km round trip to other lower North Island locations.

Foodstuffs North Island chief executive Chris Quin says the investment supports both sustainability and operational resilience.

“At a time when global events are creating uncertainty around fuel prices, shifting to electric trucks makes increasing sense,” Quin says.

“It’s better for the environment, it strengthens the resilience of our supply chain, and over time it helps reduce operating costs that ultimately benefit our customers.”

Foodstuffs North Island fleet safety compliance officer Chris King says the vehicle performed strongly during trials in 2025.

“It delivers strong torque, which is especially important when hauling heavy loads up steep sections,” King says.

“Compared with a conventional diesel truck it’s also very quiet and smooth to drive, with powerful regenerative braking that reduces heavy braking and helps reduce driver fatigue.”

Foodstuffs operates one of New Zealand’s largest grocery supply chains, with five distribution centres and trucks travelling about 30 million kilometres annually.

Key specs:

• Battery: 600kWh lithium iron phosphate
• Range: Up to 400km at 44 tonnes
• Power: 224kW continuous / 492kW peak
• Torque: 30,000Nm continuous / 75,000Nm peak
• Gross Combination Mass: 50,000kg