It’s no secret, trucks release a lot of emissions as they keep the supply chain moving. However, as technology gets better, the reality of a zero-emission Class 8 truck has gotten closer.

Now, the future may really be here because Albertsons just proved that a refrigerated grocery truck could be a zero-emission vehicle.

Continue reading below to find out how zero-emission refrigerated grocery deliveries are becoming a reality.

Making History

Albertsons, which is the second-largest grocery chain in America, made history with two zero-emission Class 8 trucks. Attached to them is an electric-powered refrigeration trailer filled with groceries.

The electric truck made its way from a distribution center in California to an Albertsons chain in Irvine, California. This was the first time that any refrigerated delivery happened emission-free.

Now the trucks are part of Albertson’s fleet of 1,400 Class 8 trucks, and more will be on the way.

Combining Sustainable Technology

Making this zero-emission feat a reality required some new electric truck technology not only in the truck itself but the trailer too.

Volvo VNR Electric

The type of truck that Albertsons used was a Volvo VNR electric truck. These are Volvo’s brand new line of electric trucks. They sport a 120-150 mile range and are meant for local distribution of goods—perfect for food and beverages.

It looks like Albertsons will acquire more Volvo VNR electric trucks to deliver groceries to their chains across the country.

Solar-Powered Transport Refrigerated Trailer Units

Part of what made Albertson’s delivery possible was the solar-powered transport refrigerated trailer unit (TRU) attached to the Volvo VNR. The TRU is made by a company called Advanced Energy machines (AEM), a company based in Arizona.

Normally, diesel motors are used to power TRU’s, but not with AEM’s refrigerated trailer. That’s because the trailer uses an electric motor, lithium batteries, and solar panels.

The solar panels sit on top of the trailer, where they collect energy that gets stored in lithium batteries below the trailer. The lithium batteries provide the power that the electric motor needs to keep the trailer cool.

Sustainable Solutions

Although this demonstrates the possibility of zero-emission grocery deliveries, there’s still a lot of work to make it the standard. That’s what Albertsons is trying to achieve because they’re looking to electrify all of their vehicles.

Their goal is to create 100% zero-emission grocery delivery trucks all across the USA. Albertsons is trying to achieve emission reduction to support the goals of the United Nations’ Paris Agreement.

Sustainable Projects

The Volvo VNR electric trucks exist because of a project known as Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions (LIGHTS). LIGHTS is a collaboration between Volvo and 13 other organizations to start getting electric trucks on the road.

However, the LIGHTS project is thanks to an award from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Coming to a Grocery Store Near You

Thanks to the funding of LIGHTS and the hard work of Volvo and AEM—Albertsons showed that zero-emission grocery delivery is already a reality. It’s only a matter of time until these zero-emission electric trucks start delivering to grocery stores nationwide.