Loblaw Cos. Ltd., Canada, unveiled a 53-foot, fully electric Class 8 truck, capable of making commercial grocery deliveries with zero-carbon emissions.

What is dubbed as the first-of-its-kind truck marks an important step, as Loblaw announced its commitment to move its corporately-owned trucking fleet to electric vehicles. The truck was manufactured by BYD, a China-based manufacturer of electric vehicles.

"As one of Canada's largest energy users, given the size and scope of our retail network and supply chain, we know we have a critical role to play in helping Canada reach its carbon reduction targets," says Rob Wiebe, executive vice president, supply chain, Loblaw. "We are committed to leading responsibly in this area, working with our partners like BYD for sustainable solutions to help our company, and our country, meet those goals."

The fully electric Class 8 truck and hybrid refrigerated trailer use technology that will be expanded to Loblaw's fleet in the coming years. Removing diesel from transport trucks and refrigerated trailers could reduce more than 94,000 tons of C02 emissions per year, the equivalent of removing more than 20,000 cars1 from the road.

As part of its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint 30% by 2030, Loblaw has committed to reduce the intensity of transportation emissions to 0.087 gCO2 e/t-km.

Informed by a science-based approach for establishing targets, Loblaw's strategy focuses on reducing emissions across four key areas to increase energy and transportation efficiencies, reduce refrigerant emissions and improve waste diversion efforts.

By 2030, Loblaw will have reduced emissions associated with electricity consumption by 35%, transportation by 25% and refrigerants by 50%. It will also improve waste diversion to 80% in stores and 95% in distribution centers.