SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Canadian pet retailer Pet Valu has partnered with Volvo Trucks North America to add two Volvo VNR Electric trucks to its fleet as part of the retailer’s ongoing supply chain transformation. The zero-tailpipe emission trucks will help Pet Valu get one step closer to achieving its vision of building Canada’s strongest pet distribution network. 

The two electric trucks will operate from Pet Valu’s new 350,000-square-foot, LEED-Gold certified distribution center in Surrey. The trucks are expected to play a crucial role in optimizing the retailer’s goal to enhance its energy efficiency and emissions management. Traveling an average of 300 kilometers (186 miles) per day, the trucks will deliver pet food and supplies to the Pet Valu family of stores throughout British Columbia five days a week. 

“We are excited to see Pet Valu taking the initiative in the Canadian pet supply industry by adopting Volvo’s VNR Electric trucks,” said Matthew Blackman, managing director for Canada, Volvo Trucks North America. “As they venture into sustainable transportation, this effort is expected to not only strengthen their supply chain but also help support a healthier planet, one ‘purr-fectly’ quiet kilometer at a time.”

Each of the new Class 8 Volvo Electric day cabs is equipped with a six-battery pack configuration, allowing a range of up to 442 kilometers (275 miles) per charge. The trucks will be charged overnight at the Surrey distribution center using two newly installed chargers. The nearly silent fleet of electric trucks also reduces noise pollution in local communities, which can be especially helpful for early morning or late night deliveries, according to Volvo Trucks North America. 

“At Pet Valu, we are committed to continuously improving how we serve devoted pet lovers and their pets,” said Nico Weidel, chief supply chain officer at Pet Valu. “Each electric delivery truck represents an opportunity to avoid consuming over 25,000 liters (6,604 gallons) of diesel fuel or over 62 tonnes of CO2 per year. We’re excited to explore how these trucks perform and assess the potential for further electrification of our delivery fleet in the future.”

In addition to deploying the trucks, Pet Valu worked closely with the Volvo Trucks sales team to secure funding opportunities to partially offset the cost of the vehicles and charging equipment. Pet Valu utilized federal and provincial incentive programs for zero-emission vehicles to support the purchase of the battery-electric trucks. According to Volvo Trucks, Pet Valu may also be eligible for carbon credits based on fuel savings and yearly mileage, making this transition even more impactful for their business.

Read more about sustainability efforts across the pet food and treat industry.